A fresh debate has erupted over Ghana’s goalkeeping situation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with former Asante Kotoko management member Alhaji Ali Maradona calling for caution in handing Benjamin Asare the Black Stars’ number one shirt.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Maradona urged the technical bench to lean on experience when selecting a first-choice goalkeeper for the global showpiece. While he acknowledged Asare’s standout performances for Hearts of Oak this season, he warned against assuming that domestic excellence automatically translates to World Cup pedigree.
“People praise the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper, but let’s be honest, he is not at the level of the Black Stars,” Maradona said.
“The World Cup isn’t a concert. You need an experienced goalkeeper. He deserved the Man of the Match award against Kotoko, but that is not the World Cup.”
Asare’s rise has been difficult to ignore. The shot-stopper has been in commanding form in the Ghana Premier League, recording nine clean sheets and conceding just four goals in 12 appearances. Since making his international debut in March 2025, he has steadily grown into a trusted option under head coach Otto Addo.
Yet Maradona’s intervention reframes the conversation. Rather than dismissing Asare entirely, he questioned whether the 2026 tournament is the right stage for the goalkeeper to assume undisputed control between the posts:
“I am not saying he should not go to the World Cup, but to be number one, Ghana needs an experienced goalkeeper.”
His remarks come as Ghana fine-tunes preparations for the tournament, with high-profile friendlies against Austria national football team on March 27 and Germany national football team three days later. Addo is expected to finalise his 26-man squad by June 1.
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The Black Stars will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama national football team on June 17 in Toronto before facing England national football team in Boston and Croatia national football team in Philadelphia.
With heavyweight opposition looming and expectations rising, the choice of who stands in goal could prove pivotal. Whether Ghana entrusts its last line of defence to a rising domestic star or opts for seasoned hands remains one of the defining selection dilemmas of the Black Stars’ World Cup build-up.
