Asante Kotoko head coach, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, has lauded Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare for his outstanding performances during his debut call-up to the Black Stars.
The 32-year-old shot-stopper was preferred over Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Jojo Wollacott in Ghana’s Matchday 5 and 6 fixtures of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers during the March international break.
Asare showcased his brilliance by keeping a clean sheet in Ghana’s emphatic 5-0 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium before delivering another stellar performance in a 3-0 win against Madagascar in Morocco.
Despite the intense rivalry between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, Dr. Ogum commended the former Great Olympics goalkeeper, emphasizing that his performances reflect the quality within the Ghana Premier League.
It is a clear indication that there are other players in the local league who, when given the right opportunity, can showcase their talent. People think the Ghana Premier League lacks quality, but there is quality, he asserted.
He further highlighted the success of local talents transitioning to the national team, citing Razak Simpson as an example.
These are the very players who play here, and once they cross the borders of this country, within six or seven months, we call them back to play for the Black Stars. Look at someone like Razak Simpson; he is a very good player. If given the opportunity, he will prove himself, just as we saw during the AFCON qualifiers, he added.
Following Asare’s impressive displays, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo confirmed that he will remain the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Ghana’s consecutive victories have significantly boosted their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.