Former Ghana Football Association Vice President, Fred Pappoe, has jumped to the defence of Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, urging Ghanaians to give the shot-stopper the respect he deserves amid a wave of criticism.
Asare has been one of Ghana’s standout performers in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, keeping five consecutive clean sheets. Yet, sections of the public continue to cast doubt on his credentials, a stance Pappoe finds completely unjustified.
“I don’t know why people are making an issue of it,” Pappoe told Citi Sports. “The man has been given a job to do, and he, Benjamin Asare, is doing the job, so what is our point?”
The former FA boss stressed that Asare’s consistency between the sticks speaks louder than any opinion, insisting that the goalkeeper has fulfilled his duties flawlessly.
“We put him into the goalpost to make sure we don’t have balls entering our net… and he is doing just that. It’s not a call we should be making now,” Pappoe added.
His comments come as the Black Stars prepare for a decisive World Cup qualifying showdown against the Comoros on Sunday. With Ghana needing just a single point to confirm their place at the tournament, Asare is expected to retain his spot in goal, a decision Pappoe believes requires no debate.
In Pappoe’s view, Asare’s performances have earned him not just the number-one shirt, but also the faith of a nation heading into its biggest test yet.
