Fatawu Dauda, the goalkeepers’ trainer for the Black Stars, emphasizes that there’s no room for experimenting with new players, hence the inclusion of the seasoned Fredrick Asare in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Despite not featuring in the friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in Morocco, the Asante Kotoko goalkeeper retained his spot in the Black Stars squad.

Asare’s comeback in the Super Clash against Hearts of Oak, following his absence in the match against Berekum Chelsea, provided a significant boost for the Porcupine Warriors as they secured victory over their arch-rivals.

Dauda explains that while he has been keeping an eye on several goalkeepers, Asare’s experience makes him the right choice to complement Lawrence Ati Zigi and Jojo Wollacot for the qualifiers.

“I have about five or six local goalkeepers on my radar… but ultimately, it’s about making decisions… During our 10-day stint in Morocco preparing for those matches, we focused heavily on tactics, giving the coach [Otto Addo] a comprehensive understanding of the players,” he stated.

“Considering these are crucial qualifying games, it’s not the time to experiment with new players. The only suitable occasion for trials is typically during friendly matches. Perhaps, in the future, during such friendlies, we can provide opportunities for other goalkeepers,” Dauda continued.

“I’ve been closely monitoring both local and foreign goalkeepers, gathering data on them for future considerations. Rest assured, we have a pool of goalkeepers capable of representing the national team.”

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