Benjamin Asare does not deserve best local player award – George Afriyie

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
August 24, 2026

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice-president George Afriyie has questioned the decision to name Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare as the best locally based player in Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Afriyie argues that Medeama midfielder Salim Adams had a stronger case for the recognition based on his performances in the Ghana Premier League during the 2025/26 season.

The comments come after GFA President Kurt Okraku announced that Asare had been selected for the award during the association’s 32nd Ordinary Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

As part of the recognition, Asare is expected to receive a JAC Motors vehicle valued at $38,000 for his contribution to Ghana’s World Cup campaign.

Afriyie challenges the selection

Speaking to Sporty FM, Afriyie questioned the criteria used by the GFA to determine which locally based player deserved the award.

He specifically compared Asare’s league appearances with the statistics of Salim Adams, who played a major role in Medeama’s league campaign.

According to Afriyie, Asare featured in 19 Ghana Premier League matches, partly because he was competing with goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi for playing time.

Adams, on the other hand, reportedly played 27 league matches, scored 11 goals, was named MVP in eight matches and provided two assists.

Afriyie argued that those numbers presented a compelling case for Adams to receive the recognition.

“How many players from the Ghana Premier League made it into the Black Stars, so how did they select Benjamin Asare as the best local player to be rewarded with a car?” Afriyie asked.

He added that Adams’ performances deserved greater consideration, particularly because the midfielder was not invited to the Black Stars despite his impressive domestic campaign.

Rewarding domestic excellence

Beyond the individual award, Afriyie used the controversy to raise broader concerns about how Ghana recognises and rewards players who remain in the domestic league.

He argued that greater incentives are needed for outstanding local players if Ghana wants to retain quality footballers and make the Ghana Premier League more competitive.

Afriyie also highlighted what he described as a significant financial disparity between players who represent the Black Stars and those who continue to compete domestically.

He compared the financial benefits associated with Ghana’s World Cup participation to the rewards available to players performing consistently in the local league.

Concerns over retaining local talent

The former GFA vice-president further pointed to Medeama’s situation as an example of the challenges facing Ghanaian clubs.

Medeama, the reigning Ghanaian champions, are preparing to represent the country in continental competition. However, Afriyie noted that one of the club’s key former players has moved to a Sudanese side that could potentially face Medeama in CAF inter-club competition.

For Afriyie, situations like this raise questions about Ghana’s ability to keep its best domestic talent and maintain a competitive league.

“If you do those kinds of things, how do you want your league to be exciting?” he asked.

Asare’s growing profile

Despite Afriyie’s criticism, Asare’s recognition comes after a significant period for the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper.

His performances earned him a place in Ghana’s 2026 World Cup squad, and he has emerged as an important option for the national team.

He is also expected to return to the Black Stars squad for Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September, according to the report.

The debate, therefore, is unlikely to be solely about Asare himself. Instead, it raises a wider question about what should determine Ghana’s Best Local Player award.

Should the award primarily recognise a player’s contribution to the Black Stars, or should it be based on consistent performance in the Ghana Premier League?

For Afriyie, the domestic statistics of players such as Salim Adams deserve considerably more weight.

The GFA has not, in the report, publicly outlined a detailed scoring system explaining how the final selection was made. Until such criteria are clearly established, debates over the award are likely to continue.