The Ghana national team announced on their official Twitter account the reasons for the players' absence from the forthcoming international friendly against Nigeria.

"Thomas Partey has requested to be excused from the game in order to fully recover from recent injuries," stated the Black Stars on their Twitter handle.

"Inaki Williams has withdrawn from the matches to allow for adequate rest and complete recuperation from recent injury setbacks," the statement further explained.

Arsenal midfielder Partey has been sidelined since picking up a thigh injury in October that required surgery. He missed the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the beginning of they year and on his way to recovery suffered another muscle injury. 

The 30-year old midfielder returned to action on 4 March and played for 25 minutes against Sheffield United then made a late appearance against Brentford five days later.

According to Italian sports journalist Arsenal appreciated that as they want Thomas to be 100% fit for the final two months of the season as they are in a tight race with Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title.

On ther other hand Williams has been a regular starter for Athletic Bilbao since returning from the AFCON in January.

The Ghana national team is set to go head-to-head against Nigeria in an international friendly on Friday, followed by a match against Uganda on 26 March.

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