Tony Lokko Recalls How Thomas Partey Saved His Coaching Career At Tema Youth

Former Tema Youth coach, Tony Lokko has recounted how Thomas Partey saved his coaching career at the club.

Partey played for the Tema based club before joining Spanish La Liga side, Atletico Madrid in 2011.

Tony Lokko, who is currently the head coach of Ghana Premier League side, Inter Allies recounted that they needed to win a game to book their qualification to the Premier League.

However, they went to a goal down and only the only player he knew he could the fortunes of the game was Partey.

But he never lost heart and by the end of the 2010-11 season, when Tema Youth went unbeaten as they secured promotion to Ghana’s top division, he had proven himself. One moment sticks in Lokko’s mind.

“It was a match to qualify for the Premiership,” Lokko told The Mail.

“We were a goal down. I called him from the bench. I said, “I believe in you. Go and change the face of the game.

“He got the equaliser and made sure we won the game. He ran to me and I have never forgotten that,” he added.

Partey joined Arsenal this summer and made his full Premier League debut in a defeat to Leicester City on Sunday.