Black Stars defender Tariq Lamptey says he was left in awe following his first start for Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The 22-year-old was handed a starting berth in Ghana’s second group game against South Korea after making a cameo appearance in the opener against Portugal.

The Brighton and Hove Albion star was part of the new faces brought into the team ahead of the mundial and got the chance to feature for the team under Otto Addo.

Talking about his experience in Qatar, Tariq told Joy Sports in an exclusive interview he was stunned by the atmosphere when he came out to warm up before the game against South Korea.

“That is something that you can’t put an end to it. It was a special moment for me and my family. It was amazing. That was the first time in a football match that I have actually looked around and properly soaked up everything that was happening,” he said.

“Before the game, I was on the pitch for the warm-up and I was like ‘wow! I can’t believe I am here.’ I was so grateful to God for the position that I was in.

“I was thinking now it is time to go out there and do the job and bring it home for the team and I saw what we were able to do on the day. It was an amazing day and one that I will remember.”

Since the World Cup, the right-back has not featured for the national team with injuries ruling him out on both occasions the Black Stars have played.