Former Asante Kotoko management member Alhaji Ali Maradona has urged the Black Stars technical team to prioritise experience in goal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, suggesting that Benjamin Asare may not yet be ready to serve as Ghana's number one on football's biggest stage.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Maradona acknowledged Asare's impressive form for Hearts of Oak—including a man-of-the-match display in Sunday's Super Clash victory over Kotoko—but cautioned against equating domestic success with World Cup readiness.
"People praise the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper, but let's be honest, he is not at the level of the Black Stars," Maradona said.
"The World Cup isn't a concert. You need an experienced goalkeeper. He deserved the Man of the Match award against Kotoko, but that is not the World Cup."
Asare has kept nine clean sheets and conceded just four goals in 12 Ghana Premier League appearances this season, establishing himself as Otto Addo's preferred choice since his international debut in March 2025.
But Maradona stopped short of calling for Asare's exclusion entirely, instead questioning whether he should be the automatic first choice.
"I am not saying he should not go to the World Cup, but to be number one, Ghana needs an experienced goalkeeper."
The debate intensifies as Ghana prepares for crucial World Cup warm-up friendlies against Austria on March 27 and Germany three days later. Head coach Otto Addo must submit his final 26-man squad by June 1.
Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, followed by clashes with England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Whether Asare or a more experienced option starts in those fixtures remains to be decided—but the conversation has now begun in earnest.
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