Odartey Lamptey reveals Ghana coaching ambitions

Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey will relish the opportunity to coach any of the national male youth soccer teams.

After hanging up his boots, the ex-Aston Villa star, who was a member of Ghana's gold-winning squad at the 1991 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, has largely worked as a TV pundit.

With experience from leading his own outfit, the Glow-lamp Academy, the 43-year-old reckons the time may be right for a step-up.

“I am interested in handling the U-17 and U-20 teams. Anytime I am called, I should be able to do a very good job," Odartey told Kwese Sports.

"I have to admit that the female teams will be a challenge. The Black Stars job is one I am not ready for at the moment.

“I love coaching these young ones and to be sincere, they look up to us."

Lamptey spent the 1994-95 season on loan at Villa from Belgian giants Anderlecht following a similar stint with Dutch side PSV.

"Look at what happens in Europe. I see that most of the people I played with are doing new things now," the former attacker added.

"We communicate with each other often to see what we are all up to. I see that one of my former colleagues at Aston Villa, Andy Townsend, is on television and we chat often.

"When Aston Villa wanted to sign Jordan Ayew in 2015, he got in touch with me for information.

"He was surprised to see that I was not in a major coaching job while other former team-mates were in the dugout. But this is Africa for you.”

At the 1991 U17 World Cup, Lamptey was adjudged Best Player of the Tournament.

He also helped Ghana win bronze at the 1992 Olympic Games before playing at the 1993 Under-20 World Cup.