Former Ghana star: ‘Richard Ofori is an excellent goalkeeper but…’
Former Ghana star Michael Osei has heaped praise on the Black Stars’ vice-captain Richard Ofori but explained why he thinks the Orlando Pirates goalie was not supposed to take part in the 2023 AFCON.
Ghana crashed out of Africa’s elite competition, as a shock 2-2 draw against Mozambique in their last match rounded off a miserable campaign for the former AFCON champions.
Ofori’s side finished third in Group B, failing to win a single match in the tournament. They drew two games against Egypt and Mozambique and lost to Cape Verde.
Ghana coach Chris Hughton chose Pirates’ Ofori as a first-choice keeper ahead of Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joe Wollacott, who both play in Europe. This is despite Ofori being Pirates’ third-choice goalkeeper this season, as Melusi Buthelezi and Sipho Chaine have played ahead of him on many occasions.
Ofori has only made three appearances for the Buccaneers so far in all competitions in the 2023/24 season. And during the continental showpiece in Cote D’Ivoire, the 30-year-old goalie conceded six goals in all three games he featured in, putting in a disappointing display in between the sticks.
Michael Osei Questions RICHARDS Ofori’s Role in 2023 AFCON
Former Ghanaian defender Michael Osei, who played in the 1990s, shared his thoughts on Richard Ofori’s inclusion in coach in Hughton’s 2023 AFCON squad.
Osei expressed his belief that a different goalkeeper choice could have improved Ghana’s performance. “The truth is that Richard Ofori is an excellent goalkeeper, and hence, he’s playing for one of the biggest teams in Africa, but he was not ready for AFCON,” he told FARPost.
“The blame should go to the coach and his technical staff. They are the ones to take the blame for playing him. We could have done better than what happened. Ofori was unfit for this tournament. Yes, I believed in him, but he was not fit. He made some silly mistakes because he hadn’t been playing for some time.
“Sometimes you need confidence by playing more games before going to a big tournament. He was not ready, and I blame the coach for fielding him in a crucial competition like this.”
As a player, Osei has won several Ghana Premier League and domestic titles in the 90s. He has also scooped a Premier League Coach of the Month award, while coaching Asante Kotoko in 2022.
Osei’s most remembered moment in Ghana colours was playing in the 1992 AFCON qualifiers.
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By Clifton Mabasa