Thomas Partey: Why Arsenal Star Played Only 45 Minutes of Ghana Versus Mexico Friendly

• Chris Hughton has opened up on Thomas Partey's substitution
• The Arsenal star played only 45 minutes of the defeat to Mexico
• Partey is expected to start for the Black Stars against the USA on Tuesday

Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton has disclosed why Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, lasted only 45 minutes of the international friendly against Mexico.

The 30-year-old did not return for the second-half and was replaced by RC Lens' Abdul Samed Salis as Ghana lost 2-0 to Mexico at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.

According to Hughton, the team had to manage Partey's time as he just recovered from an injury that kept him out for over a month.

"Thomas was always going to play 45 minutes; he has been out injured for 3 to 4 weeks. He came back for his club Arsenal last midweek, where he was subbed in for one game and played only 20 minutes. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes," he said in a post-match presser, as quoted by ghanasoccernet.com.

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Partey saw only 20 minutes of action before joining the Black Stars in America for the Mexico friendly. He is also expected to start the game against the United States on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hurving Lozano and Uriel Antuna scored in the second-half as El Tri recorded their fourth win over the Black Stars of Ghana, as reported by ESPN.

The four-time African champions are preparing for next month's World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January and February.

Ghana were handed a tricky group in last Thursday's draw, as they rekindle their rivalry with Egypt once again. They will also face Cape Verde and Mozambique in Group B.

Mexico defeat Ghana in international friendly

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Second-half goals from Hirving Lozano and Uriel Antuna inflicted Chris Hughton his first defeat as Ghana coach after Mexico strolled to a 2-0 victory against the Black Stars in an international friendly in the United States.

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Following a barren first-half, the North Americans had an explosive start to the second-half after Lozano broke the deadlock following a quick set-piece by Mexico.

Substitute Antuna doubled the lead with 19 minutes remaining after a mistake from Nicholas Opoku led to a quick break by El Tri.