Comment: Thomas Partey heralds new found Black Stars spirit

Effah

January 22, 2017 11:43 AM

... Partey exhibit different facets of his game and his unflappable attitude and high concentration levels have been pivotal for the Black Stars.

Thomas Teye Partey had started just one match for Ghana before the AFCON in Gabon. A conservative performance in midfield as Ghana lost to rivals Egypt in a tense World Cup qualifier in Alexandria did not do enough credit to his immense potential and the impact it could have on an out of form Black Stars midfield.

Fast forward two months and that potential is being fulfilled in Port Gentil as the Black Stars have navigated two difficult games to reach another AFCON quarter-final.

Partey's gifts are many and in all honesty, should have been used more than coach Avram Grant has cared to in the past two years. His combination of size, accurate passing and tackling are ingredients the Black Stars have failed to have on a consistent level since the breakthrough of Wakaso and Afriyie Acquah as a partnership.

Many followers of Ghanaian football felt Partey's chance with the national team should have come after his outstanding season on loan at then La Liga side Almeria where he was the team's best best player by a mile.A season epitomised by an impressive individual performance against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. It did not happen. It took a return to his parent club Atletico Madrid and involvement in the team's successful European campaign of the 2015/2016 season to finally gain the attention of Grant.

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Since then Thomas, as he prefers to be called has had to bide his time for an opportunity to stake a claim in the team.

A combination of factors including the poor form of Grant's favoured combo and the pressure to try something new might have triggered his opportunity but he has grasped it with both hands and become the foundation for a solid outing at the tournament so far. He was named man of the match against Mali and even though Atsu was official man of the match in the first game, a host of observers felt he was the again the team's best player

The two games Ghana has played in has seen Partey exhibit different facets of his game and his unflappable attitude and high concentration levels have been pivotal especially in a system where the team has no primary central attacking midfielder and absorbs a load of pressure.

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A natural introvert, he has kept his head down even at interviews and gives credit to his teammates.

"We are a good team playing as a unit and that is the most important thing.We do our homework after every game and that is the reason for our success."

As the Black Stars prepare for the quarter-finals, they will hope their new found anchor holds steady in the challenge to annexe a fifth AFCON title.

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Effah