Touching story/ From a bag seller at the World Cup, the coach who discovered him couldn't follow him

2026-06-25 08:50:00, Sport CNA

Touching story/ From a bag seller at the World Cup, the coach who discovered him

Benjamin Asare is becoming one of the most talked-about names of the World Cup after his performances for the Ghana national team. The Ghanaian goalkeeper was decisive in the 0-0 draw against England, a result that keeps the African team in a favorable position to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament. Thanks to the draw, Ghana has reached the quota of four points after two matches and continues to not have conceded a single goal in this World Cup. Up to this stage of the competition, only Argentina, Spain, Mexico and Ghana have kept a clean sheet. A large part of the merits goes to Benjamin Asare, who reacted correctly against England at moments when his team needed it.

However, the Ghanaian goalkeeper's story did not begin in the big stadiums. His professional career developed gradually and only seven years ago coach Enor Walker discovered his talent and brought him to Great Olympics, an elite Ghanaian football club. Walker believed in the goalkeeper's abilities and supported him financially, often paying his transport costs. Before making a living from football, Asare had worked in various professions. At a young age, he sold plastic bags, later learned the carpentry trade and worked in metal processing. For a period, he was also a bus conductor, while continuing to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. His career faced another major obstacle at the age of 28. A serious leg injury kept him out of the field for about a year and a half. At that time, several doctors suggested that he give up football. However, he continued his recovery and managed to return to action. A significant moment in his career came in 2024, when he signed with Hearts of Oak, one of Ghana's most famous clubs with a 114-year history. Last season, the team finished third in the championship and conceded only 15 goals in 34 matches, a statistic that was greatly influenced by Asare's security in goal.

Despite his good form in the championship, until 2025 he had never played for the national team and had no experience in international tournaments. Everything changed during the World Cup qualifiers, where he played six matches and conceded only one goal. His performances convinced the technical staff to trust him with the starting spot in the final phase of the World Cup. His story gained great attention off the field as well. After his debut with the national team, a video was shared on social networks where Asare was seen traveling in a minibus. The video touched a local businessman, who decided to give him a vehicle as a token of appreciation for his journey and perseverance.

At the World Cup, Asare has made three saves in each of his first two matches, first in a 1-0 win over Panama and then in a 0-0 draw with England. His contribution has been crucial in Ghana's clean sheet so far. Outside of football, the goalkeeper is also known for his dedication to his family. He has looked after his grandmother, who lost a leg, helping her with her daily routine before heading off to training. Asare himself has revealed that he is often the one who personally attends to her needs. Meanwhile, coach Enor Walker, the man who believed in the goalkeeper when he was playing at the lower levels, did not get to see his former player achieve his greatest success. Walker passed away last autumn at the age of 62. Ghana's attention now turns to the final group match against Croatia on June 28.