Former Hearts of Oak Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, has voiced his disapproval of Chris Hughton’s decision not to include Richmond Lamptey in any of the Black Stars’ games during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Asante Kotoko midfielder earned a spot in the squad for the 34th edition of AFCON in Ivory Coast due to his outstanding performance in the Ghana Premier League.
Despite making the final squad, Lamptey did not see any action in the tournament as he was consistently omitted from the matchday squads.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Mortagbe expressed his disappointment in Coach Hughton’s treatment of local players, specifically pointing out the exclusion of Richmond Lamptey.
He questioned the decision to sideline Lamptey despite his impressive performances in the domestic league, emphasizing that a player’s participation in the local league should not be a barrier to their national team inclusion, especially when opportunities arise due to injuries.
Mortagbe stated, “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, facing a defeat against Cape Verde and drawing with Egypt and Mozambique.
Mortagbe’s criticism highlights concerns about the handling of local talents and their opportunities in representing the national team.
