Legendary Asante Kotoko and Black Stars midfielder Sarfo Gyamfi has revealed that Hearts of Oak’s goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, was nearly signed by archrivals Asante Kotoko.
The retired footballer said he was always in touch with the 32-year-old while at Accra Great Olympics to get him to join the Porcupine Warriors.
“I brought him to Kotoko but you know, when you are not the coach, you can be turned away,” he revealed on Agoro Fie on Onua TV on Wednesday, March 26.
“I was the reason why he was hesitant to join Hearts. Then I was also convincing him to bring him to Kotoko while Hearts were also talking to him because as a footballer I saw his goalkeeping skills.
“I have played frontline and defence and when I read him, he is Number One. The way he moves, the way he comes out and talks, even if it were to be another goalkeeper, he would have been shy of the ‘professionals’.
“With confidence, he is the best and he is calm.”
Asare was one of the three locally-based players called up by Otto Addo into the Black Stars team to play against Chad and Madagascar.
Incidentally, he made his debut by keeping the post in the Chad game, which ended 5-0 in favour of the Black Stars.
The coach kept faith with him in the Madagascar game, which ended 3-0 for the Stars.
After the game, Coach Addo said the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper has worked hard to be his Number One.
“I think the next game is in June and at the moment he’s the Number One,” the former Dortmund Talent Coach stated on Monday.
“We decided for him. He did well in training. We have a good situation where the keepers are pushing each other.
“[I am] really thankful with the way [Lawrence] Ati-Zigi and [Joseph] Wollacott also behaved during this week and the way they also tried to push Benjamin, to help him and support him. I don’t take it for granted. Big props for them. [Asare] deserved it. I’m very happy for him.”
