Gariba Raubil – Thomas Partey, the lion in the cage is released and is doing harm everywhere

Not not all is well with the Black Stars as failing to qualify for the World Cup has led to many questions being asked at present but something is certainly going right. That is Thomas Partey – he is really on fire scoring amazing goals and giving his best in every single game. Since making his Ghana debut in Belle Vue at the Stade Ajalay on June 5th 2016 coming on as a substitute in the last 10 minutes for Frank Acheampong in a penultimate 2017 Nations Cup qualifier – a game the Black Stars won 2-0 with Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu goals to qualify to the tournament finals – the offensive midfielder has not looked back going on to command starting role in the team at the tournament in Gabon where the team reached the semifinals. Just look at his performances and his goal against the Saudis last Tuesday as if it was still a qualifier but this was just a friendly but he went into every tackle, passed with a La Liga passing accuracy and showed some great deal of desire. This is how Andre Ayew, Wakaso Mubarak, Asamoah Gyan all started. Like the lion in cage it is only when it is released that it can do harm. Not being a regular player at club level until this season , Partey was waiting for his chance to shine with the national team and when it came he’s grabbed  it with both hands. The talent was always there whilst the opportunity was not but now he them has them all – a starter of games at both club ad international level. He’s kicked it off big time in 2017/18. He’s scored in Europe, in his original Africa and now he’s extended the territory to Asia too. Kwesi Appiah made the big call that likes of Andre Ayew, Mubarak Wakaso, Agyeman Badu and co were not in his plans – for the games against Uganda and Saudi Arabia but now we are forced to sit back to enjoy what he served us,  even as myself, along many others, didn’t consider him to be the best man for the job. Leadership and character Respect to Diego Simeone. The Atletico Madrid manager has not only helped mould this midfield sensation – but also he’s instilled that fighting spirit in him. Recall the Congo World Cup qualifier at the Babayara stadium where the Congolese were just some five minutes away from inflicting a first defeat to destroy Kwesi Appiah’s unbeaten home record as Ghana coach whether in his first or second tenure and all hope seemed to have vanished , it was Partey whose equalizer snatched a point for the Black Stars to keep Kwesi Appaih’s unbeaten home record safe and intact and in the reverse game in Brazzaville,  Congo even felt the full wrath of the Atletico man who breached their defence not once , not twice, but thrice as he marked his best Black Stars game with Ghana winning 5-1 on September 5th. He was absolutely the biggest problem the home side could not solve that day. Rapid increase in confidence Goals give confidence. Ask Asamoah Gyan. Scoring Ghana’s second goal – after having a hand in the Saudi Arabian own goal – Partey now has more international goals (5) than superstar of yesterday Mohammed Gargo who scored 4 times in 20 appearances. The La Liga-based midfielder also boasts of a superior number to the 4 goals in over 60 games of Juventus ace Kwadwo Asamoah. Such players as Derek Boateng, Albert Adomah have scored less for the national team in more games. If he continues like in the manner he’s started it will not be too long that that he’d join players like Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, Agyeman Badu , Mubarak Wakaso, CK Akonnor who are over the 10-goal barrier. Topscorer under Kwesi Appiah’s return  Partey has scored more goals (5 ) than any other player under Kwesi Appiah’s second tenure and you have players such as Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Christian Astu, Raphael Dwamena and co who have all started and played good number of minutes in that period. The next players with more goals are Richmond Boakye Yiadom and Raphael Dwamena both on 2 goals each and these are even typical strikers. If he can continue improving I’ve no doubt the ending of his international career will be a great one. Follow Gariba Raubil on twitter @GRAUBIL