Ghanaian defender Tariq Lamptey has voiced his confidence in the Black Stars' prospects of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The four-time African champions boosted their chances with consecutive wins against Mali and the Central African Republic.
The Black Stars began their campaign with a win against Madagascar and a loss to Comoros. They then stunned the Eagles with a 2-1 victory in Bamako and followed it up with a thrilling 4-3 win at the Baba Yara Stadium during matchdays three and four.
These pivotal victories have moved Ghana to second place in their group, tied with leaders Comoros on nine points. The Black Stars are now in a strong position to challenge for the top spot and secure direct qualification for the World Cup.
In an interview with 3Sports, Lamptey stressed the importance of focusing on each game and working hard to achieve their objectives. "I think we definitely believe in ourselves [to qualify for the World Cup]; we have the talent as we know. We have to focus on what the coach has to say to us. Take it game by game, work as hard as possible, and hopefully, the results will show. We worked hard in the week, the build-up to the last two games, and we got the results we deserved so hopefully we can keep pushing and qualify," Lamptey said.
Ghana will resume their qualification campaign against Chad and Madagascar in March 2025.
Lamptey, who made his Ghana debut against Brazil in France, has made just eight appearances for the Black Stars over two years, primarily due to injuries. Born in Hillingdon, United Kingdom, to Ghanaian parents, the 23-year-old switched his allegiance to Ghana in 2022 after representing England’s youth teams.
Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey expressed his joy after playing his first match on Ghanaian soil. The 24-year-old right-back played a key role in the Black Stars' thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium during matchday four of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Having recently switched his nationality to represent Ghana, Lamptey relished his home debut. "It was very loud, with tremendous support that we could feel right from the start," Lamptey shared with 3Sports. "The type of support that drives you forward, motivates you to work harder and delivers results for the team and the fans. Their backing was like having a 12th man on the field."
Reflecting on the atmosphere and his experience, Lamptey emphasized the importance of the support in pushing the team towards their goal. "It was my first time playing there, and although the game had its ups and downs, it was an amazing day. Ultimately, we achieved the results we aimed for," he remarked.
Since making his Ghana debut against Brazil in France, Lamptey has accumulated eight appearances for the Black Stars over two years, despite facing challenges with injuries.
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