Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare has made a strong case for the inclusion of local players in the Black Stars, following his standout performances in Ghana’s recent World Cup qualifiers.
The 32-year-old, who earned his first call-up in March, proved his worth by keeping two clean sheets in crucial victories over Chad and Madagascar.
In an exclusive interview with 3Sport’s Mutala Yakubu in Morocco, Asare expressed his belief that home-based players deserve more opportunities in the national team if they consistently perform at a high level.
"I am happy with the confidence they have in me and the support. I am happy that I lived up to their expectations. If a local player is good, he deserves a platform. Sometimes people think once you are a local player, the national team will be difficult, but we are very determined,” Asare said.
Despite his age, Asare’s national team breakthrough is a testament to perseverance and hard work. His journey has drawn comparisons to Ghanaian goalkeeping greats such as Richard Kingson, George Owu, and Sammy Adjei, who also rose through the ranks of the domestic league before excelling on the international stage.
With Ghana leading Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Asare’s experience and leadership could prove invaluable as the Black Stars push for a return to the world’s biggest football stage.
His emergence also serves as inspiration for young players in the Ghana Premier League, reinforcing the idea that talent from the local league can still shine at the highest level.
As Ghana prepares for the next round of qualifiers in September, all eyes will be on Asare, who has firmly established himself as a strong contender for the first-choice goalkeeper role.
