Black Stars must abandon defensive style of play - Nii Odartey Lamptey

Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has criticised the Black Stars' approach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that the team must return to a more possession-based and attacking style of play.

Although Ghana reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2010, the team's performances attracted criticism from sections of supporters and former players, who questioned the conservative tactics employed during the tournament.

Lamptey, who closely followed Ghana's campaign in North America, said he was not impressed by the team's displays and believes the current squad falls short of previous Black Stars generations.

“I watched all the matches and me personally, I'm not impressed,” he told 3Sports.

“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.”

The former Aston Villa midfielder identified Ghana's inability to retain possession as one of the key weaknesses that hindered the team throughout the tournament.

“You should have a team that can be able to hold the ball. And this is what we couldn't do. And it was haunting us,” he explained.

“All the teams that I mentioned, the Ghana team in 2010, we could hold the ball. Look at our midfielders. We had ball jugglers and all that. This team, no. And this is haunting us.”

Lamptey also expressed concern over what he described as an overly defensive approach, particularly in Ghana's goalless draw against England during the group stage.

According to the former Black Stars star, teams cannot expect to succeed by spending long periods defending against elite opposition.

“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.

Ghana finished third in Group L with four points after defeating Panama, drawing with England and losing to Croatia before advancing to the Round of 32, where they were eliminated by Colombia.

With Carlos Queiroz retained as head coach following the World Cup, attention has now shifted to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Black Stars will travel to Bouaké to face Côte d'Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix on 24 September before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.

After missing out on qualification for the previous AFCON tournament in Morocco, Ghana will be hoping to secure an immediate return to Africa's premier football competition.