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Ghana would have won 1992 AFCON if Abedi Pele played in the final - Odartey Lamptey

By Mutala Yakubu
 Abedi Pele
Abedi Pele
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Former Black Stars player Nii Odartey Lamptey says if Abedi Pele had featured in the final of the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana would have won its 5th title.

Ghana had to face Ivory Coast in the tournament hosted in Senegal but was without their skipper and talisman Abedi Pele.

Many have said that Abedi was the missing link in the Black Stars team for the final and Odartey Lamptey who was part of the squad supports that assertion.

"I was dying to play with Abedi Pele, he was an African footballer of the Year and was like a genius, we missed him in the 1992 AFCON final and it was a big blow to us if Abedi was part of the squad we would have beaten Ivory Coast and won the trophy," he told Joy Sports.

READ ALSO: Odartey Lamptey advises Thomas Partey to stay in Spain amid Premier League interest

The Black Stars lost 11-10 on penalties against the Elephants in Senegal, which hosted the tournament.

Following the suspension of Abedi 'Pele' Ayew in the semi-finals through accumulated cards, head coach Otto Pfister was ordered to hand over the captain's armband to Tony Baffoe and it affected the demeanour of the playing body, according to reports.

The Maestro had led the Black Stars to damage and eliminate arch-rivals Nigeria at the semi-final stage of the tournament in Senegal 28 years ago.

Abedi Pele Ayew bagged three goals in the tournament and won the best player of the tournament.

The 1992 AFCON is perhaps the three times African Footballer of the Year’s best AFCON campaign.

 

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