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Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey believes Ghana's failed World Cup qualification campaign was due to a lack of stability in the national team set-up. Former Black Stars head coach Avram Grant resigned after an underwhelming Africa Cup of Nations campaign, with Kwesi Appiah returning to the post as his successor following the brief interim tenure of Maxwell Konadu. Ghana took just one point from their opening two qualifiers under Grant, and were held by Congo-Brazzaville at home and Uganda away as Egypt clinched top spot in Group E. "It was a shame to lose Avram Grant because he is a great manager" Partey told KweséESPN. "Now, Appiah is here and he is also a great coach. "Each one comes with their own ideas and as the managers changed, there were changes in the team so we needed some time to settle," he added. "I think that is why qualification did not go well. "We are disappointed not to have qualified but our focus now is to keep pushing in order to improve."  Appiah made significant changes in light of Ghana's troubled Nations Cup campaign, dropping national team regulars such as Wakaso Mubarak, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Razak Brimah for the double-header against Congo. He also axed the Ayew brothers - Jordan and Andre - for the showdown with Uganda, a situation which also contributed to Ghana's struggles, according to Partey. "It was difficult for the squad to deal with the constant speculation surrounding the Ayew brothers" he added. "They [Jordan and Andre] are good players who have been involved in the national side for a long time. "I think along with the newer players, we can build a good team going forward." With Ghana's run of three consecutive World Cup appearances ending, Appiah's attention will now turn to the 2019 Nations Cup qualifying campaign. The Black Stars have been pitted alongside Sierre Leone, Kenya and Ethiopia in the race to reach Cameroon, and began the qualifying programme in some style with a 5-0 rout of the Walias in Kumasi in June.
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