Veteran Ghanaian coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong has cautioned against premature comparisons between Hearts of Oak shot-stopper Benjamin Asare and Black Stars regulars Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Jojo Wollacott.

While Asare impressed with back-to-back clean sheets in his debut outings against Chad and Madagascar during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Sarpong believes the goalkeeper’s abilities remain largely untested due to the lack of serious pressure from the opposition.

“The pressure Ati-Zigi and Wollacott faced while keeping goal for Ghana, Asare didn’t experience that,” Sarpong told Sportsblog247.com. “We are yet to see his real quality. When he’s up against top-class players who take long shots, apply relentless pressure, and strike unpredictably, then we can start comparing.”

Despite this, Sarpong did commend Asare’s calm demeanor and his effective communication with defenders like Alexander Djiku, noting the goalkeeper’s contribution to the team’s defensive solidity.

“Against Madagascar, the defence was well-organized, backed by a composed Asare. If a goalkeeper isn’t tested, that means the defence did its job well. I liked how he communicated at the back — that’s a good sign.”

As Ghana prepares for tougher tests ahead, all eyes will be on whether Asare can rise to the occasion and prove he belongs at the highest level.