Black Stars defender Tariq Lamptey has
suffered a major setback ahead of Ghana’s crucial 2026 FIFA World
Cup qualifiers after Fiorentina confirmed he tore the Anterior
Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
The injury occurred during Fiorentina’s Serie A match against
Como at the Artemio Franchi Stadium on Sunday, prematurely ending
Lamptey’s comeback after just 22 minutes on the pitch. The
24-year-old was making his first start for Fiorentina since joining
the Italian side in the summer. His promising night turned sour
when the injury forced him off early, ruling him out for an
estimated six months.
This means Lamptey will miss the remainder of the Serie A season
and, more importantly, Ghana’s decisive World Cup qualifying
matches. Lamptey has been an integral part of Ghana’s national team
this season, including the vital victory over Mali that followed a
shocking 1-0 defeat to Chad in September.
His pace and defensive solidity have contributed significantly
to the Black Stars’ campaign, making his loss a blow to the team’s
defensive options at a critical juncture. With Ghana aiming to
secure their fifth World Cup appearance in the upcoming tournament
hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Lamptey’s absence
adds pressure on the coaching staff to find an effective defensive
replacement.
The upcoming matches in Accra will be pivotal, and the Black
Stars must adapt quickly to maintain their qualification ambitions.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars must now regroup and strategize to
overcome this setback and continue their quest for World Cup
qualification.
