Renowned football analyst, Jerome Otchere, has advised the technical team of the Black Stars to keep Benjamin Asare as the side’s pair of hands going into their final group game against Croatia.
His comments come on the back of whether the Accra Hearts of Oak’s goalkeeper should be maintained if Lawrence Ati Zigi, the team’s first choice goalee, recovers from his injury ahead of the final group game on Saturday.
Otchere, who says he earlier vouched for Ati Zigi to be the first choice goalkeeper despite Asare’s splendid performances and keeping clean sheets in the qualifiers, believes the local goalkeeper has so far exhibited mastery, especially in the goalless draw against England and should be maintained even if Zigi recovers.
He indicated on Ghana Tonight on TV3 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, that despite his support for Ati Zigi to keep the goal post prior to the tournament, it would defy logic to change Asare against Croatia looking at his performance so far.
“Given the exposure he has had playing to a clean sheet against England, I don’t think it would be wise, even if Ati [Zigi] is fit to play, to drop Asare at this level and bring in Ati.
“The way Asare has taken off, the composure he showed yesterday, if he’s able to play a game against England, keeping a clean sheet, I don’t see how we cannot keep the same against Croatia if all the other guys are going to come to the party as they did in the England game,” he indicated.
Benjamin Asare earned global recognition for his splendid output against England at the FIFA World Cup. Asare, who replaced injured Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the Panama game, made crucial saves to secure a 0-0 draw against England.
His impressive display has sparked excitement across Ghana, with fans and celebrities praising his composed and confident display.
The Hearts of Oak shot-stopper’s performance has raised hopes for Ghana’s chances in the tournament, with coach Carlos Queiroz likely to rely on him for future matches. Ghana plays its last group game against Croatia on Saturday, June 27, 2027, before heading to the round of 32 stage.
