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0 The debate over the Black Stars’ goalkeeping situation has intensified, with sports pundit Christopher Nimley questioning the readiness of locally based goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and calling for a European-based alternative to strengthen Ghana’s options.
Speaking on Jupay Podcast Live, Nimley delivered a blunt assessment of the current goalkeeping pool available to head coach Otto Addo, arguing that domestic performances alone are not sufficient preparation for top-level international football.
Although Benjamin Asare has attracted praise for his performances in the Ghana Premier League, Nimley contended that those displays do not provide a reliable measure of international readiness. He argued that the standard of attacking play in the domestic league is not demanding enough to properly test a goalkeeper.
“Benjamin Asare is not the best goalkeeper for the team,” Nimley stated firmly. “The quality of finishing in our local league is not a good enough test.”
He explained that many of the situations Asare encounters involve “loose crosses and misdirected shots”, which, in his view, fall short of the clinical standards required at major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nimley acknowledged that had Asare featured for the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations, he would have been better tested and therefore a more assured option. However, since that opportunity did not materialise, Nimley believes selecting him now would represent a gamble.
To address what he sees as a vulnerability in the squad, Nimley urged the Ghana Football Association to turn its attention to the Dutch Eredivisie. He specifically identified Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, the highly rated AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper, as the ideal candidate to provide stability between the posts.
According to Nimley, Owusu-Oduro’s experience in a top-tier European league would introduce the “new dimension” that Otto Addo’s technical team has so far failed to deliver. The goalkeeper has previously indicated his willingness to represent Ghana.
Nimley also criticised current first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, raising concerns about his consistency at both club and international levels. Referring to his performances for St Gallen, Nimley said the goalkeeper continues to “leak goals”.
“He is not good enough,” Nimley remarked, arguing that Ghana cannot depend on a goalkeeper who requires the team’s attack to score three or four goals in order to secure victory.
The discussion underscored broader calls for the Black Stars’ much-talked-about “heritage” and “refresh” agenda to translate into decisive action rather than rhetoric. For Nimley, reform must begin with what he describes as a ruthless reassessment of the goalkeeping department, prioritising elite-level exposure over domestic league form.
With pressure mounting on the national team, attention will now turn to whether the technical bench will consider a call-up for Owusu-Oduro or maintain confidence in the current goalkeeping options.
