Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of key Black Stars players, including Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, and Osman Bukari, during the team’s crucial matches against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The GFA attributed Partey’s absence to medical reasons while stating that Bukari and Paintsil were unavailable due to unspecified injuries sustained in previous games. However, Afriyie remains unconvinced by these explanations and has voiced his concerns.

Speaking to Joy Sports, Afriyie questioned the validity of the reasons provided for the players’ absence. "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," he remarked.

The absence of these players has been a focal point of criticism, especially following the Black Stars' scoreless draw in Accra and the 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture held in Libya.

Afriyie believes the GFA needs to provide clearer answers regarding the team’s struggles and the absence of these key players.

Ghana’s qualification for AFCON 2025 is now in serious jeopardy.

With only two points from four matches, the Black Stars are in third place in their group, facing the possibility of missing the tournament for the first time in two decades. The team must win their remaining two games against Niger and Angola in November to stand a chance of qualifying.