Richard Ofori is an amazing goalie, however, said the former Ghanaian celebrity.
While praising vice captain Richard Ofori of the Black Stars, former Ghanaian player Michael Osei gave an explanation of why he believes the Orlando Pirates goaltender was not meant to compete in the 2023 AFCON.
After an embarrassing 2-2 draw with Mozambique in their final game, Ghana was eliminated from Africa’s premier competition. It had been a terrible campaign for the former CON champions.
Ofori’s team did not win a single game during the tournament, coming in third in Group B. They lost to Cape Verde and drew two games with Mozambique and Egypt.
Pirates’ Ofori was selected as Ghana’s first-choice keeper by head coach Chris Hughton, ahead of European-based players Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joe Wollacott.
This is true even though Ofori has played ahead of Melusi Buthelezi and Sipho Chaine numerous times this season, making him the Pirates’ third-choice goalkeeper.
Throughout the 2023–24 season, Ofori has only made three appearances for the Buccaneers across all competitions. And in all three of the games he played in the continental championship in Cote d’Ivoire, the 30-year-old goaltender gave up six goals, turning in a lackluster performance in goal.
ASK MICHAEL OSEI ABOUT RICHARDS OFORI’S POSITION IN THE 2023 AFCON
Michael Osei, a former player for Ghana in the 1990s, offered his opinions on Richard Ofori’s appointment as coach of Hughton’s 2023 AFCON team.
Osei stated that he thought Ghana’s performance may have been enhanced by a different option in goalkeeper. Richard Ofori told FARPost, The truth is that he’s playing for one of the biggest teams in Africa because he’s a fantastic goalie, but he wasn’t ready for AFCON.
“The coach and his technical staff ought to bear the brunt of the criticism. They should be held accountable for manipulating him. We were capable of more than what transpired.
Ofori wasn’t ready for this competition. Yes, I did think highly of him, but he was unfit. He hadn’t played in a while, so he made some dumb blunders.
Playing extra games before a major event can sometimes help you gain the confidence you need. I hold the coach accountable for allowing him to compete in such an important competition when he was not prepared.
In the 1990s, Osei’s career included multiple domestic and Ghana Premier League championships. Additionally, in 2022, while coaching Asante Kotoko, he won the Premier League Coach of the Month title.
