Defender Tariq Lamptey has expressed his optimism for what is to come for the Ghana senior national team, the Black Stars.
After making his debut against Brazil in September 2022, the right-back went on to join 25 other players at the Fifa World Cup in Qatar and was excited about the opportunity to work hard to protect and serve his country.
Lamptey has extended his compliments to then Technical Advisor Chris Hughton who is now the substantive head coach.
Black Stars: “Chris Hughton is a great guy,” says Tariq Lamptey
Despite Ghana’s early elimination from the Mundial, the Brighton and Hove Albion star believes there is a great mixture of players in the Black Stars squad with an eye toward good things in the nearest future.
“You are always excited to play for your country no matter in the World Cup, in a friendly game.
“Obviously, the World Cup is special. You think about it when you are a little boy but when you join the team, you are always excited and looking forward to getting down to work.
“We have a great mixture in the team and we are looking forward to doing some good things going forward,” the 22-year-old said to Joy Sports.
Ghana finished at the bottom of Group H with just three points having recorded a win and two defeats. Tariq featured in two of the games – against Portugal and South Korea.
Talking about settling down, he said: “The boys have been fantastic. The coaching staff, everyone involved has been welcoming to me and I am really enjoying my time.
“We have a really good squad and we are looking forward to working hard and listening to what the coach has to say, improving and achieving our goals.”
Meanwhile, Tariq Lamptey will – for the second straight international window – be unable to feature in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers under Hughton due to an injury suffered at his club. The Black Stars play Madagascar on the road on June 18.
