Benjamin Asare #16

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While at Hearts of Oak’s rivals, Great Olympics, in June 2021, Asare broke his leg in the derby against his current employers. He missed 18 months of football and was advised to consider retiring, but made a remarkable comeback, and within two years was Ghana’s first-choice goalkeeper. His introduction to the national team was a remarkable breakthrough. After Ghana conceded seven goals in six games and finished bottom of the Afcon 2025 qualifying group, Asare was drafted in, one of a raft of changes. It made him, at 32, the oldest Hearts of Oak player to make his Ghana debut, and the first of their keepers to represent the national side for 20 years. His impact was stunning: four clean sheets in five matches as Ghana secured World Cup qualification. In November last year he saved Hwang Hee-chan’s penalty in the Kirin Cup against South Korea, cementing his growing reputation.

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