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We have high hopes Thomas Partey will be fit to compete for 2023 AFCON – Chris Hughton

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His rehabilitation time appears to have worsened following a setback in his recovery, requiring the former Atletico Madrid star to consult a specialist for a thigh injury. Hughton is optimistic Partey will be able to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite the setback.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton is optimistic that Thomas Partey will be able to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year.

Partey has been declared out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a muscular injury during the international friendlies in October.

The midfielder played for Ghana against Mexico and the United States but has not appeared for Arsenal since his return.

The 30-year-old will miss Ghana’s first Group I games of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros later this month due to the injury.

His rehabilitation time appears to have worsened following a setback in his recovery, requiring the former Atletico Madrid star to consult a specialist for a thigh injury.

Hughton is optimistic Partey will be able to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite the setback.

“We are all very much aware of the quality of player that he is. Unfortunately for us, he is injured at this period of time,” he told BBC Africa.

“We are very very hopeful that he will be fit and back playing and in good form by the time we get to AFCON but at this very moment we don’t know,” he added.

Ghana will host Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium on November 17 before heading to Comoros at the Stade de Moroni on November 21.

Following the end of the two games, the Black Stars will prepare for the AFCON in Ivory Coast in 2023.

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Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead

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Romeo Ricky Roy, the fitness coach for Ghana’s senior national team, has died.

According to Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku’s Facebook post, he died in Accra on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Roy joined the Black Stars’ backroom staff in 2021, during Milovan Rajevac’s second spell as coach.

He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

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Veteran Sports Commentator Joe Lartey dies at 96

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Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as "Over to You," was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG's founding president. Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) in 1961. He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana's sports community. He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has reported the death of Joe Lartey, a veteran Ghanaian football pundit and sports writer.

He passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 96.

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Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as “Over to You,” was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG’s founding president.

Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961.

He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana’s sports community.

He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

In appreciation of his achievements in sports journalism, Lartey received the coveted “A Life in Sport” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) during the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.

Lartey’s impact stretched well beyond Ghana, with numerous Ghanaian football analysts praising him for moulding their careers.

Fans and colleagues alike will remember him warmly for his pioneering work in sports broadcasting.

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Xavi to stay as Barcelona’s coach until at least June 2025

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Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23. However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season. Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to Paris St. Germain in the quarterfinals.

Barcelona coach Xavi will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025, having changed his mind about this being his final season.

The 44-year-old stated in January that he will stand down as manager this summer.

However, with president Joan Laporta desperate for him to stay, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has made a U-turn.

Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23.

However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season.

Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to PSG in the quarterfinals.

Xavi, who won 25 honours during his brilliant playing career at Barcelona, said he felt “liberated” with the revelation that he would leave the position at the conclusion of the season.

When he announced his departure following the defeat to Villarreal, he felt he was not being safeguarded by the club and there was no clear direction.

However, the team’s fortunes have improved since Xavi felt comfortable taking a more casual attitude.

They went ten games undefeated in the league before falling 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday.

On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Laporta’s residence, and the club’s desire for him to stay was clear.

If Xavi is unable to strengthen the squad before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona will attempt to persuade one of the high-profile managers out of contract, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.

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