Ghana head coach Chris Houghton has explained why Richards Ofori is such an important part of the Black Stars despite his situation at Orlando Pirates.
Ofori, 30, only featured in three games for Pirates this season, all in the CAF Champions League and is behind the pecking order of Sipho Chaine and Melusi Buthelezi.
But the towering stopper has been first choice and captain in their last three games ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Cape Verde.
“What I’d like to think is that we have three goalkeepers in the squad that all could do a very good job for us, they all have different qualities,” Houghton said when asked by iDiski Times about his trust in Ofori.
“Certainly over the years, the goalkeeping situation is a different and difficult one – sometimes you will have who is regular at his club, sometimes you’ll have one who’s not such a regular but can do a fantastic job with the national team.
“These are the things we take into consideration as regards to the qualities that Richards has, he’s a big personality and someone that I would like to think… because I can only speak on a short space of time… but Dede [Ayew] can speak for a longer period, that Richard Ofori is someone who has never let the nation down as regards to availability and the job he’s done.
“But in the same way I speak about all three goalkeepers and whichever play in whichever game it’s because we have total confidence in their performance and abilities as goalkeepers.”
Ofori has been capped 29 times since making his senior debut under Avram Grant at the age of 21.
