George Afriyie questions GFA's explanations for Partey, Paintsil, and Bukari absences

Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has expressed doubts over the reasons provided by the GFA for the absence of key players Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, and Osman Bukari during the crucial AFCON qualifiers against Sudan.

The GFA had explained that Partey missed the double-header due to a medical issue, while Bukari and Paintsil were absent due to "pains" sustained in previous matches.

However, Afriyie, who once chaired the Black Stars Management Committee, finds these explanations unconvincing.

Speaking to Joy Sports, Afriyie voiced his skepticism, especially after the Black Stars' disappointing performances, which included a goalless draw in Accra and a 2-0 defeat in Libya.

“There are so many unanswered questions as to why we failed to win here [in Ghana], and those questions you the media must ask them,” Afriyie said.

“I'm not convinced by the kind of excuses being given for why Partey, Paintsil, and Bukari couldn't come. They just want you to take them and accept them.”

With Ghana now sitting third in Group F, with only two points from four games, the team faces the real possibility of missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in two decades.

The Black Stars will need to win their final two matches in November against Niger and Angola to keep their qualification hopes alive.