The Black Stars squad, along with Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials and other football personalities, paid their respects to deputy captain Thomas Partey after the death of his father, Jacob Teye Partey.
The team visited the Transitions Funeral Home in Accra on Friday to sympathise with the Arsenal midfielder and his family during their period of bereavement.
The Black Stars arrived in the capital earlier on Friday morning after securing a 2-0 victory over Somalia in the first leg of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying encounter played in Sekondi on Thursday.
Upon their arrival, the players and technical team proceeded directly to the funeral home to offer their condolences to Partey and his family, temporarily putting their preparations for Monday’s return fixture aside.
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, was also present to express his sympathies and reaffirm the government’s support for the grieving midfielder and his family.
Leading the football delegation was GFA President Kurt Okraku, who was accompanied by Executive Council members Dr Randy Abbey, Samuel Aboabire and Gideon Fosu.
Former Black Stars captain and current vice-chairman of the national team, Stephen Appiah, also joined the gathering alongside members of the team’s Management Committee.
Several former Ghanaian internationals were present to show their support, including Anthony Baffoe, a member of Ghana’s 1995 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning squad, Awudu Issaka, Andre Ayew and David Accam.
The gathering also attracted Regional Football Association chairmen, including Linford Asamoah of the Eastern Region, Robert Duncan of the Central Region and Daniel Agbogah of the Volta Region.
The presence of the players, football administrators, government representatives and former internationals highlighted the strong sense of unity within Ghanaian football and the collective support extended to Partey during this difficult time.
Black Stars Turn Attention to Somalia Return Fixture
Following the visit, the Black Stars will redirect their focus to preparations for the second leg of their 2027 AFCON qualifying tie against Somalia.
The return encounter is scheduled for Monday at the Essipong Sports Stadium, where Ghana will aim to build on their 2-0 first-leg advantage.
A positive result would further strengthen the Black Stars’ position in their quest to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.