Former Hearts of Oak coach Aboubakar Ouattara has weighed in on the ongoing goalkeeping situation at the club, offering strong support for Benjamin Asare while acknowledging the solid work being done by his current replacement.
Ouattara, the Ivorian tactician who previously led the Phobians, praised young goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi for stepping up impressively during a challenging period.
Agbasi has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented to him, delivering a string of strong and confident performances that have earned him widespread praise from fans and pundits alike. His form has even sparked lively discussions about whether he deserves to keep the number one spot moving forward.
However, Ouattara was clear in his view that the established hierarchy at Hearts of Oak should not change once Asare returns to full fitness. As the Black Stars’ first-choice goalkeeper and a proven leader between the posts, Benjamin Asare continues to hold the position of the club’s undisputed number one option.
Ouattara emphasized that Asare’s experience, quality, and reliability make him the safest and most dependable choice for the team when he is back to 100 percent.
Speaking in recent interview, Ouattara summed up his position by stating: “Solomon Agbasi is doing extremely well, but the fact is Benjamin Asare still remains the number one for Hearts of Oak, and he needs to take over when he is fully fit.”
This comes at a time when Asare has been sidelined for several weeks following an injury (initially sustained during the November international break), allowing Agbasi to shine in the Ghana Premier League.
With Hearts of Oak navigating a demanding fixture list ahead, the technical team now faces an important decision regarding the goalkeeping position once Asare is declared ready to compete again.
Ouattara’s comments reinforce the belief that Asare should reclaim his starting role without delay upon full recovery, highlighting the depth and competition in the squad while maintaining respect for the current deputy’s contributions.