Appiah admits challenges in Stars goalkeeping department

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has acknowledged challenges in the goalkeeping department of the Black Stars, adding that his doors are opened to all and sundry.

The goalkeeping department, in recent times, has come under scrutiny with many of the opinion that Coach Appiah’s preferred No.1 Fatau Dauda is not in the best of shapes to hold down the starting spot, a belief which seems to be gaining more roots with Dauda’s dodgy performances in recent games including last Saturday’s 2015 AFCON qualifier against Uganda.


Speaking after the Stars 1-1 draw with the Cranes, Appiah was quick to admit challenges in the department but remains optimistic of seeing more assuring performances in the next matches.


“I will not sit here and say we’re perfectly doing well in the goalkeeping area,” he revealed.


“We’re trying to make sure that we get the best out of the goalkeepers that we’ve got. Automatically, the goalkeeper may along the line make a mistake but it’s important that you look at the overall performance of the goalkeeper.


“I wouldn’t like to sit here and criticize any of them but I believe that the mistakes that they have done or are doing, we’ll make sure we correct them before the next game,” he assured.

Stromsgodset goalie Adam Kwarasey has been overlooked for the double header against Uganda and Togo for his vitriolic attack on the Black Stars technical team particularly Goalkeepers Trainer Nassam Yakubu for his mysterious relegation to the bench after manning the post in Ghana’s opening match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup against the USA. However, there could possibly be a quick return for the Norwegian-based glovesman as Appiah says the Black Stars are still opened to all performing goalkeepers.


“I would have loved that we had about ten really good goalkeepers to bring a lot of competition,” he revealed.


“I believe there’re so many up and coming goalkeepers who are all doing well that we’re keeping an eye on. Most of our keepers are playing locally and the few we’ve got playing outside are about four. So we’re still keeping an eye on everyone,” Appiah concluded.


Ghana is set to take on the Hawks of Togo in her second match of the qualifying series on Wednesday with Dauda still expected to keep his place in the post.