Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey says the Black Stars must return to a more positive, possession-based style after criticising their defensive approach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lamptey, who followed Ghana’s campaign closely, said he was unimpressed by the team’s performances and believes the current squad compares poorly with previous World Cup sides, particularly in its ability to retain the ball and control matches.
“I watched all the matches and me personally, I’m not impressed,” Lamptey said in an exclusive interview with 3Sports.
He compared the current team with the Ghana side that reached the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as well as those that represented the country at the 2014 and 2022 tournaments.
“If I look at the team that went to the World Cup, the first World Cup in South Africa, you can’t compare this team to them. And then 2014. And then our last World Cup, 2022. Even that one that we did not do well, I think that team is far, far better than this.”
For Lamptey, Ghana’s lack of control in midfield was one of the defining weaknesses of the campaign. He argued that the team was unable to keep possession for long enough to dictate the tempo or relieve pressure on its defence.
“You should have a team that can be able to hold ball. And this is what we couldn’t do. And it was haunting us,” he said.
“All the teams that I mentioned, the Ghana team in 2010, we could hold football. Look at our midfielders. We had ball jugglers and all that. This team, no. And this is haunting us.”
Lamptey was especially unhappy with Ghana’s approach against England. He questioned whether a team can successfully rely on defending for the entire match and rejected the idea that limiting an opponent’s opportunities should be viewed as the main measure of defensive success.
“A proper way to defend is to attack. If you attack, if you defend a million times, they beat you. There’s no way a team can defend throughout 90 minutes,” he added.
His comments came before the Ghana Football Association confirmed the return of Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars coach. Queiroz, who led Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been given a new coaching mandate which starts with the upcoming international window.
Lamptey’s assessment is likely to intensify discussion about the tactical direction Ghana should take during Queiroz’s second spell in charge. The former international’s preference for a team built around possession and attacking intent contrasts with the criticism aimed at Ghana’s more cautious style during the World Cup.
GFA president Kurt Okraku has defended Queiroz’s approach, however, and suggested the coach’s methods could change if he is given more time to prepare the team.
“in 47 years, style has not taken us anywhere. We haven’t won the AFCON . If the same coach [Queiroz] is working under different circumstances [in comparison to the World Cup] maybe the style will change.”
Okraku said the Portuguese coach had only limited time to select and prepare his squad for the Mundial. He added that Queiroz might adopt a different style if he is allowed adequate time to work with the team.
