Ahead of every major tournament, there is always plenty fanfare surrounding call-ups to the national team, as every player eagerly anticipates receiving the honour of representing their country at the highest level.
The interim handlers of the Black Stars are expected to name a squad in the coming weeks for the AFCON 2027 double-header against Somalia, following the departure of Portuguese trainer Carlos Queiroz.
A handful of players who, on form, ability and experience deserve a place in the Kim Lars Bjorkegren led Black Stars team. Durban City’s Frederick Asare is one player the Swedish manager may seriously want to consider. The basic mentality of a player needs to possess in order to earn himself a call-up to the national team entails a strict focus on bettering club form. Asare has undoubtedly achieved that at Durban City this season. While the Ghanaian goalkeeper was expected to strengthen the PSL side’s goalkeeping department this season, few could have anticipated the sheer scale of his impact.
The statistics tell only half the story. In eight appearances in the South African top flight, Asare has conceded seven goals, kept three clean sheets, won one Man of the Match award and saved a penalty. He has also made 30 saves, 15 from inside the box and 15 from outside it, alongside nine high claims and seven successful run-outs. His performances have made him one of the most talked-about goalkeepers in the division.
Asare has been equally impressive on the continental stage, keeping three clean sheets in three CAF Confederation Cup appearances. His consistent displays have also ensured that Durban City have not had to look back on the retirement of former number one Darren Keet at the end of last season, with the Ghanaian emerging as a worthy replacement. That speaks volumes about Asare’s quality. He has shown great character and professionalism, and he deserves all the praise and recognition coming his way.
The 27-year-old’s major strength is his ability to be in the right position in order to cover a large portion of the goal especially when opposing forwards are bearing down on goal. Another strength of his is his distribution. He averages 5.0 successful goal kicks per game and 4.1 throw outs. For a team that yearns to play expansive football, the benefit of having a goalkeeper who can play from the back, cut out individual errors and provide an imposing presence will be invaluable.
In terms of anticipation, he is the best around. He thinks like a striker and tries to anticipate if the opposition forward will dribble or shoot, and how he will shoot: close to the ground, in the air, with power, and in what direction. His defensive skills, covering any through balls and sweeping up behind his backline, allow the defenders to push forward. This in turn restricts the space the opposition have in the middle of the pitch and forces the game into the opposition’s half.
It isn’t exactly a trade secret that the modern goalkeeper’s zone of influence has expanded tenfold. Whereas a goalkeeper used to be a bung in a drain, and how “good” a footballer they were rested solely on how effectively they stopped leaking goals, nowadays the position is more of a balancing act. Part of the reason why Asare is the finest Ghanaian goalkeeper around is down to how well he spins the plates that are the dual responsibilities of the modern goalkeeper.
In many ways, the modern goalkeeper is the logical conclusion of Total Football where any player can play in any position. Football, which now more than ever is about overloads over every stretch of lush green grass, has finally realised that it’s a waste of a pair of feet for a goalkeeper to use only his hands.
Frederick Asare has more than earned himself a Ghana call-up and the chance to showcase his talent on the international stage. Kim Lars Bjorkegren must reward him for his performances soon as he could be a very useful addition to the squad.
