Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz made a rare exception to his long-standing approach of avoiding discussions about individual players after the Black Stars’ impressive 0-0 draw against England, singling out goalkeeper Benjamin Asare for special praise.
Asare delivered a composed and assured performance at Gillette Stadium, producing key saves to help Ghana secure a valuable point in Group L.
The goalkeeper denied England captain Harry Kane from close range in the first half and later dealt comfortably with a dangerous effort from Bukayo Saka as the Black Stars held firm under pressure.
Despite his reluctance to focus on individual performances, Queiroz admitted that Asare deserved recognition for his contribution.
“Normally, I never like to talk about individual players,” the Ghana coach said after the match. “But Benjamin deserves applause. He was outstanding. His performance reflects both his quality as a player and the work that has been done with the entire squad.”
Asare was handed a starting role ahead of Lawrence Ati-Zigi and responded with a confident display that helped Ghana keep a clean sheet against one of the tournament favourites.
However, Queiroz was quick to emphasise that the result was the product of collective effort rather than individual brilliance.
“In football, you can win a few matches with 11 players, but you cannot achieve success without a full squad that is ready to perform whenever called upon,” he said. “Benjamin stepped in and did his job. Other players also came in and performed well. That is what matters most.”
The Portuguese coach praised the unity and commitment shown by his players throughout the encounter, insisting that teamwork remains the foundation of Ghana’s progress at the World Cup.
“When 11 players step onto the pitch with a shared dream, anything is possible,” Queiroz said. “My players play for one another. They do not play for statistics, records or history. They play for their teammates.”
He added that the trust within the squad allows players to perform with confidence, knowing their teammates will support them when needed.
The draw leaves Ghana and England level on four points in Group L heading into the final round of matches. The Black Stars will face Croatia on June 28, knowing that qualification for the Round of 16 remains firmly within their control.
“We have 26 players ready to perform whenever needed,” Queiroz said. “They all deserve congratulations for their effort and commitment.”
