Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey believes the absence of legendary captain Abedi Pele in the final of the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations against Côte d’Ivoire cost the Black Stars.
The Black Stars were without Pele in the final against the Ivorians due to suspension.
Pele picked up a yellow card in the semi-finals against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
He had picked up a yellow card in the quarter-finals which meant the caution against Nigeria ruled him out of the final.
The Black Stars went on to lose to the Ivorians 11-10 on penalties after playing out a 0-0 draw in regular time.
Also Read: U-20 WWCQ: FIFA Moves Falconets, Burundi Clash To Dar Es Salaam
Speaking to Sienu TV, Odartey Lamptey, who was a member of the AFCON 1992 squad, emphasized the Black Stars would have won the trophy if Pele had played the finals.
“I run to the referee and pleaded not to book Abedi Pele, I did that but I think the word that he used maybe the referee was a bit frustrated and showed him a yellow card.
“I knew the final was going to be a war for us because (Pele) was a player who had achieve everything and when he is on the pitch is about three or four players who follows and then we take the advantage.
“I think his absence in the finals cost us, we should have won that trophy.”
The Black Stars are yet to win the AFCON title since last winning it in 1982 which was their fourth.
Aside the 1992 final, they featured in the 2010 and 2015 finals and lost to Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire respectively.
2 Comments
Yes, Abedi Pele absence actually cost Ghana the cup
Experts in JAMBODY! They’ll end up 9//11 if they ever meet Naija next year. Very crude people. You’d think soccer, which should bring smiles and laughter to people’s faces, has suddenly become Russia vs Ukraine.