Posted by Former Black Stars and Asante Kotoko goalkeeper George Owu has urged the Black Stars technical team to make KAS Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen Ghana’s number one at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Ghana who are making their fourth appearance at the World Cup will head into the competition without the services of first and second choice goalkeepers Jojo Wollacott and Richard Ofori due to injuries.
In the absence of the two, there has been endless debates amongst Ghana football followers on who should be the country’s number one goalkeeper at the World Cup between Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen and Ibrabim Danlad.
Per George Owu who was a member of the team that represent Ghana in its first World Cup in 2006 in Germany, Abdul Manaf should be made number one at the Mundial.
“It’s unfortunate that Richard Ofori and Joseph Wollacot will miss out [of the World Cup] because they have the experience,” George Owu told Kumasi-based Nhyira FM.
“Danlad is a young goalkeeper who has been in the youth sides, the local Black Stars but he needs to be monitored for some time to learn more.
“But if you look at the other two goalkeepers [Manaf & Ati Zigi], I think Manaf can do it because when given the opportunity in Japan, he proved it and Ati Zigi has been a bit on and off.
“I think he [Manaf Nurudeen] built his confidence at the Kirin tournament and the players and the coaches had trust in him as well.
“Though he was on a standby, if he’s back in the team now, why can’t he keep the post for Ghana?” he asked.
Ghana is housed in Group H for the Group Stages of the World Cup alongside Portugal , South Korea and Uruguay.