Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hearts of Oak, has expressed his discontent with coach Chris Hughton’s decision not to include Asante Kotoko midfielder Richmond Lamptey in any of the Black Stars’ games during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Lamptey, who earned a spot in the squad for the 34th edition of AFCON due to his outstanding performances in the Ghana Premier League, was consistently left out of the matchday squads, despite making the final roster.

In an interview with Graphic Sports, Mortagbe voiced his disappointment in Hughton’s treatment of local players, with a specific focus on Lamptey’s exclusion. He emphasized, “The fact that a player plays locally does not mean he cannot play for the Black Stars. We have all seen what Richmond Lamptey has done for Asante Kotoko, and I struggled to understand why he was never used, even when Majeed Ashimeru was injured. There were times when Richmond Lamptey was not even on the bench.”

Ghana’s exit from the tournament, securing only two points with a defeat against Cape Verde and draws with Egypt and Mozambique, has brought attention to concerns about the utilization of local talents in representing the national team. Mortagbe’s critique sheds light on the need for a more inclusive approach to showcase the skills of deserving players, irrespective of their playing locale.