The Ghana Football Association has explained why Athletic Bilbao forward, Inaki Williams, Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey and LA Galaxy star, Joseph Paintsil, have been excluded from the Black Stars squad to face Nigeria and Uganda in international friendlies in Morocco later this month.

The exclusion of the trio from Otto Addo's recent squad has particularly raised eye-brows in the public, forcing the FA to release an explainer on social media.

According to the GFA, Inaki and Partey asked to be excused from the squad in order to fully recover from recent injury setbacks, while Paintsil's absence is due to paperwork complications that prevent him from traveling outside the US following his recent move to the MLS.

The GFA's full statement reads:

Joseph Painstil: As a result of his move to the United States, there are some further immigration documentation procedures he must embark upon which is why he is unable to travel outside the United States until the process is completed.

Thomas Partey: Asked to be excused from the game to gain full fitness following recent injuries.

Inaki Williams: Pulled out the games to have some rest and fully recover from recent injury setbacks

Ghana take on AFCON 2023 finalists Nigeria on Friday March 22, 2023 at 1pm before facing Uganda four days later, with both games in Marrakesh, Morocco.