Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hearts of Oak, has expressed dissatisfaction with Coach Chris Hughton's decision to keep Richmond Lamptey out of play during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The talented midfielder from Asante Kotoko earned his spot in the Black Stars' squad for the 34th edition of AFCON in Ivory Coast due to his exceptional performance in the Ghana Premier League. Despite making the final squad, Lamptey did not feature in any of the tournament's matches as he was consistently left out of the matchday squads.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Mortagbe criticized Coach Hughton's treatment of local players, specifically highlighting Richmond Lamptey's exclusion.
He questioned the decision to sideline Lamptey despite his remarkable performances in the domestic league, emphasizing that a player's involvement in the local league should not hinder their inclusion in the national team, especially when opportunities arise due to injuries.
Mortagbe expressed his concern, stating, "The fact that a player plays locally does not mean he cannot play for the Black Stars. We have all seen what Richmond Lamptey has done for Asante Kotoko, and I struggled to understand why he was never used, even when Majeed Ashimeru was injured. There were times when Richmond Lamptey was not even on the bench."
Ghana exited the tournament with two points, experiencing a defeat against Cape Verde and drawing with Egypt and Mozambique. Mortagbe's critique sheds light on the challenges local talents face in getting opportunities to represent the national team.
