Partey’s Family Commitment Forces Him Out Of Ghana’s Somalia Return Fixture

Ghana will be without one of its most experienced midfielders when the Black Stars face Somalia in their return fixture on Monday, November 16, 2026, as Thomas Partey is expected to miss the match to attend the final funeral rites of his late father.

The 32-year-old midfielder is expected to be involved in the funeral ceremonies taking place in Accra and Odumase, making it difficult for him to rejoin the national team ahead of the second meeting with the Somali side.

Partey featured for the entire 90 minutes in Ghana’s first-leg encounter, helping the Black Stars secure a 2-0 victory. The result gave Ghana its first win in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and provided an important boost to the team’s campaign.

However, his expected absence presents a selection consideration for the technical team as Ghana prepares to complete the two-match assignment against Somalia.

The midfielder’s experience and presence in the centre of the pitch have made him an important figure in the national team. His unavailability means the coaching staff will have to consider other options to fill the gap in midfield for Monday’s fixture.

Partey’s family has also received support from his teammates and members of the technical team during the period of mourning. Following the first-leg victory over Somalia, the entire Black Stars squad and technical staff joined him at the funeral to express their condolences and stand with him and his family.

The gesture reflected the team’s support for the midfielder beyond football, as he prepares to fulfil his family responsibilities following the death of his father.

Ghana will now turn its attention to the return fixture, with the first-leg advantage offering the team a positive starting point. The Black Stars will be seeking another strong performance against Somalia as they continue their pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament.

While Partey’s absence will be a setback in terms of experience, the immediate focus for the team will be on securing the desired result without the midfielder.

His expected absence is due to the funeral commitments, rather than a reported injury or disciplinary issue.

Source: https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Thomas-Partey-set-to-miss-Somalia-clash-following-father-s-funeral-2061368

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