Black Stars defender Tariq Lamptey is facing the prospect of missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following an injury setback during his recent return.
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi confirmed on Wednesday that the 23-year-old will be sidelined for an extended period.
Lamptey sustained the injury in Brighton’s match against Nottingham Forest, with the setback occurring midway through the first 45 minutes.
During his press conference ahead of the Europa League match against AEK Athens on Thursday, De Zerbi revealed that both Lamptey and Ansu Fati would be out for an extended period, stating, “We have lost Ansu for a long time. Same for Lamptey, they will be out for a long time.”
After just 35 minutes on the field, Lamptey had to be substituted due to discomfort. This setback places him at risk of missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, as he had already been absent during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros due to injury. Additionally, he did not feature in the team during the October international break.
Lamptey’s recurring injury issue presents a significant challenge for both the Black Stars and Brighton as the season progresses.