Tariq Lamptey: We worked hard for the wins against Mali and CAR

Black Stars right-back Tariq Lamptey has emphasised the Black Stars’ determination following their crucial victories over Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The four-time African champions initially found themselves in fourth place in Group I of the CAF World Cup qualifiers ahead of their third and fourth matches. However, they showcased resilience in both games, coming from behind against Mali in Bamako and securing a thrilling win over CAR in Kumasi.

Lamptey, who featured prominently in these matches, highlighted their comeback against Mali, where they overturned a 1-0 deficit with goals from Erenst Nuamah and a late winner by Jordan Ayew.Their momentum continued into the next game, where they battled back after initially taking an early lead but conceding before halftime, ultimately clinching a 4-3 victory to move joint top of Group I alongside Comoros.

Reflecting on their recent performances, the 23-year-old expressed confidence in the team’s abilities moving forward.

“I think we definitely believe in ourselves; we have the talent. We need to focus on the coach’s instructions, take it game by game, work as hard as possible, and hopefully, the results will follow. We put in the hard work during the week leading up to the last two games, and we got the results we deserved. Hopefully, we can maintain this momentum and qualify,” Lamptey told 3Sports.

Tariq Lamptey featured in the 2022 World Cup with the Black Stars and has his sights set on helping the team to the 2026 World Cup @_owurakuampofo caught up with him in an exclusive interview #3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/AN5bA0yVO0

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) June 12, 2024

The Black Stars is determined to build on their recent form as they aim to secure more victories in their remaining six matches. Their objective is to qualify for their fifth World Cup appearance, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the USA in 2026.