Odartey Lamptey reveals Abedi Pele's absence affected Ghana in 1992 AFCON  final

Former Ghana international, Odartey Lamptey, has shed light on how the absence of Abedi Pele impacted the Black Stars in the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Ivory Coast.

Abedi Pele, a key figure in Ghana's AFCON campaign in Senegal, received a red card in the semi-final against Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with Sienu TV, Lamptey expressed his belief that Ghana would have secured victory in the 1992 AFCON final if captain Abedi Pele had played.

Pele's pivotal role in the team was evident throughout the tournament, and his absence in the final proved to be a significant setback for the Black Stars.

Lamptey recalled his unsuccessful attempt to plead with the referee to spare Abedi Pele from a second yellow card, stating, "I ran to the referee and pleaded with him not to give Abedi Pele a red card.

I did that, but I think the word that he used maybe the referee was a bit frustrated and showed him a second yellow card."

Confident in Pele's ability to make a difference, Lamptey emphasized the impact of Pele's absence in the final, which Ghana ultimately lost 11-10 in a marathon penalty shootout against Ivory Coast.

"I knew the final was going to be a war for us because (Pele) was a player who had achieved everything, and when he's on the pitch, it's like having three or four players who follow him and take advantage.

I think his absence in the final cost us; we should have won that trophy," Lamptey added.

The 1992 final remains one of three AFCON finals that Ghana has lost since winning their last title in 1982.

The current Black Stars team aims to end the 41-year trophy drought at the 34th edition of the continental competition scheduled for January to February 2024 in Ivory Coast.