Odartey Lamptey tips Grant for AFCON glory

The former Aston Villa striker is optimistic the Israeli will lead Ghana to continental glory next year

Former Ghana striker Nii Odartey Lamptey believes Avram Grant could end Ghana’s 34-year Africa Cup of Nations trophy drought by leading the Black Stars to victory in the 2017 tournament in Gabon.

Grant took over as coach of the Stars in December 2014, leading the side to clinch silver at the 2015 Afcon two months later, but has seen his reign court controversy in the past few months.

The Israeli has been widely chastised for his overstay abroad at the expense of monitoring the local topflight for new talents, while his “bullshit” comments in the aftermath of Ghana’s 3-1 defeat of Mozambique in the 2017 Afcon qualifiers has generated public outcry.

“Well people might have issues with him now because of what he said after the Mozambique game but he says he was taken out of context,” Lamptey told StarrFM.

“For me if you look at his record since he took over [the Black Stars], he has not fared badly.

“So I expect him to lead us to the Promised Land in Gabon in 2017”

Ghana’s last of four Cup of Nations titles came as far back as 1982 in Libya.

Lamptey played for Anderlecht, PSV, Aston Villa and Coventry City in his prime.