Thomas Partey started for Ghana on Friday evening as they lost 3-0 to Mali in a friendly.

ghana vs maliThe Arsenal midfielder played the full 90 minutes but was unable to stop his side losing to the nation ranked 11 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

The Ghana FA wrote in their match report, “Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku and Bernard Mensah appeared very heavy and delicate as they lost almost every onslaught from the Mali trio Cheick Doucoure, Fofana Mamadou Haidara Amadou and Toni Kevin.”

In player ratings he received a 3 (from 5) as it was added, “Despite having a poor game by his standards, he was trying to make things happen. The Arsenal man drove the ball forward a few times and had some attempts but failed to trouble the goalkeeper.”

Troubling goalkeepers isn’t really Thomas’s job, if we’re honest.

It was the Ghana coach, Charles Akonnor’s first match in charge after being given the position in January. Goals from El Bilal Toure, Hamari Traore and Amadou Haidara made sure it was not a successful one.

Ghana face Qatar on Monday in another friendly. It will also take place in Turkey at the Titanic sports complex in Antalya on 12 October.

Full Ghana starting lineup

Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Gideon Mensah, Tarique Fosu-Henry, Nicholas Opoku, Kassim Nuhu, Bernard Mensah, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, Eugene Ansah.