Benjamin Asare’s stellar performances sparks calls for more local talent in Black Stars

Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s outstanding performances for the Black Stars have reignited discussions about the quality of local players, with Hearts of Oak board member Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe advocating for greater investment in Ghana’s domestic league.

Asare, who recently earned his first national team call-up, has made an immediate impact. He replaced first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi in Ghana’s 5-0 victory over Chad in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last Friday, delivering a commanding display and keeping a clean sheet. He followed up that impressive debut with another shutout in Ghana’s 3-0 win against Madagascar on Monday night.

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe believes Asare’s performances make a strong case for local players deserving more opportunities at the highest level.

“It was a good decision using Benjamin Asare because the coach has tried all the other goalkeepers, and Asare demonstrated clearly that he is fit for the job,” he told Graphic Sports.

“He has made a case for local players, but we can never be home and dry in this competition until they are featured prominently.”

The veteran football administrator also pointed to Ghana’s rich football history, noting that the country’s past Africa Cup of Nations triumphs were achieved with squads predominantly made up of home-based players. He urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to support Coach Otto Addo in broadening his scouting network beyond Accra and Kumasi to discover hidden talents across the country.

Asare’s performances have sparked renewed hope for the potential of Ghana’s local league to produce top-class players capable of excelling on the international stage.