Fred Pappoe Backs Benjamin Asare Amid Criticism
Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Fred Pappoe, has come to the defense of Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, urging fans and critics alike to appreciate the player’s consistency and professionalism during Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Despite keeping five consecutive clean sheets in the qualifiers, Asare has faced criticism from a section of supporters who argue that the level of opposition faced by the Black Stars has not been particularly strong.
However, in an interview with Citi Sports, Fred Pappoe dismissed those concerns, insisting that Asare deserves credit for delivering exactly what is expected of him.
“I don’t know why people are making an issue of it,” Pappoe said. “The man has been given a job to do, and he – Benjamin Asare – is doing the job, so what is our point?”
The former GFA vice president further emphasized that the goalkeeper’s role is to ensure Ghana remains solid defensively, which Asare has achieved flawlessly so far.
“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,” he added.
As Ghana prepares to face Comoros in their final World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium, Asare is expected to maintain his spot between the posts.
The Black Stars need just one point from Sunday’s decisive encounter to confirm their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Asare’s composure and reliability could once again prove vital in achieving that goal.
