Former Ghanaian football star, Nii Odartey Lamptey, has expressed his hopes and prayers for the success of the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mr Lamptey, a member of the 1991 FIFA U17 World Cup-winning team, acknowledged the quality of the Black Stars.
Ghana is placed in Group B of the 2023 AFCON, alongside Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique. Lamptey shared his optimism for the team’s success during an interview with Sienu TV, expressing confidence in the Black Stars’ abilities in the upcoming tournament.
“Nothing has changed about the Black Stars that is why I want us to give Chris Hughton the benefit of the doubt that yes, with few weeks to the AFCON, things can change”
“Without a doubt, if you look at the players he’s being inviting for our games, you could see there is nothing wrong with it and that is what we also have”
“I’m sure with support, these boys should be able to do well for Ghana. Who can tell me Kudus is not a good player, Partey, and Jordan. So I’m sure with good support and good preparation, we will cause a surprise. I pray the team succeed in Ivory Coast.”
The Black Stars have a storied history of success in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), having won the title four times, with the most recent triumph in 1982. However, since then, they have faced setbacks in three finals, including losses to Ivory Coast in 1992 on penalties, Egypt in 2010, and a repeat defeat to Ivory Coast in 2015.
The upcoming AFCON tournament is scheduled to commence on Saturday, January 13, and will run through February 11, 2024. The team, led by head coach Otto Addo, aims to clinch the coveted trophy and add to Ghana’s rich football legacy on the continental stage.