Ghana's goalkeeping department has received a vote of confidence from within the Black Stars camp, with coach Dan Gaspar insisting that the trio of Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Benjamin Asare, and Joseph Anang is unmatched anywhere on the continent. This bold claim comes as the team searches for its footing at the bottom of Group C in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Gaspar expressed gratitude for being back with the setup and conveyed no doubt about the goalkeepers' abilities.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia, Gaspar emphasized that Ghana's three shot-stoppers represent the best assembly of goalkeepers on the continent. He added that he believes the players themselves share that same confidence as the team pushes forward with its qualifying mission. All three goalkeepers named by Gaspar feature in Carlos Queiroz's squad for the Gambia clash, with Ati-Zigi having remained a regular starter under the Portuguese coach.
Ati-Zigi started Ghana's opening qualifier against Côte d'Ivoire, conceding once in each half. Asare, who was first-choice for much of Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, and Anang, who serves as a third option, were both unused in that match. The trio's inclusion comes as part of a broader effort to reset momentum after a difficult start to the campaign, with Queiroz planning changes to his starting XI for the Gambia fixture.
Ghana opened their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké, with goals from Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié sealing the result. That loss left the Black Stars at the bottom of Group C, a slump that has renewed scrutiny of Queiroz's tenure, following a record-low win rate after the setback. In contrast, The Gambia arrive in Accra in confident form after opening their own campaign with a 2-1 win over Somalia.
The Gambia's positive result adds further weight to Tuesday's fixture, with Ghana needing a positive outcome to avoid slipping further behind in the standings. For Ghanaian football followers, Tuesday's match at the Accra Sports Stadium is being treated as a must-win. A second defeat would leave the Black Stars facing a steep climb in Group C and renew scrutiny of Queiroz's tenure.
Fans attending in person will also be reminded of the cost of following the team live, after VVIP tickets for the match have been priced as high as GH₵700 by the National Sports Authority. The match kicks off on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the Accra Sports Stadium. Sources have not indicated whether Queiroz will rotate his goalkeeping choice for the fixture, though Ati-Zigi has been the consistent starter since the coach's appointment.
The outcome of the match will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Ghana's 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. With the team's goalkeeping unit drawing praise from Gaspar, the onus is on the Black Stars to deliver a strong performance against The Gambia. The team's fans will be eagerly anticipating the match, hoping for a positive result that will revive their team's chances in the qualifying campaign.
Key points
- Ghana's goalkeeper coach Dan Gaspar praises the country's goalkeeping unit as the best in Africa.
- Ghana is at the bottom of Group C in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
- The Black Stars face a must-win match against The Gambia on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
