Soccer News of Tuesday, 14 February 2006

Source: Sportsmen

People think I'm a spent force - Nii Lamptey

Odartey Lamptey For Black Stars?

Ghanaian international footballer, Nii Odartey Lamptey has given an indication that he is ever ready to don the jersey of the Black Stars again, despite talks that he is out of form.

After that abysmal performance by the Black Stars in the just-ended 25th MTN Nations Cup finals, the general consensus is that more players be allowed to justify their inclusion in the senior national team ahead of the World Cup finals in June.

Names like Arsenal starlet Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Otto Addo and others have been suggested.

Speaking to Sportsmen, the 1991 Juvenile World Player of the year said the Nations Cup performance by the national was the worst ever by the country, insisting that he will avail himself for national duty anytime. The former Kotoko midfielder stressed that the influence of senior players in any team is key to its success and therefore it is about time Ghana adopts such a strategy.

?I will not mind at all if I am given a call up, the only problem is that people still think I am a spent force, but I believe it will be chance to prove them wrong?, he said. Odartey Lamptey was named the best Juvenile footballer in the world in 1991 after he led the Black Starlets to victory in the World Under-17 Championship.