Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has tempered expectations ahead of the Black Stars’ highly anticipated FIFA World Cup meeting with England, admitting that a defeat for Ghana would not come as a surprise.
The Black Stars are set to take on the Three Lions in a pivotal Group L fixture on Tuesday, June 23, at Gillette Stadium. With both nations having started their campaigns on a winning note, the contest is expected to play a significant role in determining the group standings.
Ghana secured all three points in their opening match thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto, while England also made a positive start to their tournament journey.
Although encouraged by Ghana’s winning start, Lamptey believes England possess a clear edge in quality and experience, making them the team most observers would expect to come out on top.
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Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, the former Anderlecht attacker acknowledged the challenge awaiting Carlos Queiroz’s side and suggested that an upset victory for Ghana would be far more unexpected than an England win.
“I will be surprised should Black Stars win against England. They are better than us in terms of everything,” he said.
“I’m a Ghanaian, and if we win, I will celebrate, but on the phase of it, I’ll not be surprised if we lose to England,” Odartey Lamptey added.
Despite his assessment, Ghana will head into the encounter determined to build on the momentum gained from their opening triumph as they continue their pursuit of a place in the knockout rounds.
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The West Africans, appearing at their fifth FIFA World Cup, still have a final group-stage assignment against Croatia after facing England. Their objective remains securing qualification to the Round of 16 and ending a long wait to progress beyond the group phase, something they last achieved during their memorable run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 tournament.
