Goals they say make football exciting and for that matter, the goalscorers are always the ones to receive the adulation.
This scenario is prevalent all over the world, Ghana inclusive.
But increasingly, goalkeepers are proving to be crucial and their impact being felt and appreciated with each passing day.
Like in most parts of the world, this season's Ghana Premier League has been very tough with goalkeepers having to decide the outcome of most games.
A mixture of veteran and experienced goalkeepers, some of whom have played for the Black Stars, coupled with exciting young ones means the competition among goalies in the league is at an all-time high.
In no particular order, GhanaWeb takes a thorough look into the statistics of the top six goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League.
Eric Ofori Antwi, Medeama SC
The Medeama SC number one shot-stopper has kept the post 13 times season for his club, conceding 8 goals in the Ghana Premier League. The 2013 U-23 AFCON Most Valuable Player has kept 6 clean sheets in the process. His contribution to his teams place at the summit of the League table has seen them win 7, lost 3 and drawn 3 games he has featured in. Ofori’s highest defeat in this seasons league was a 2-1 defeat to Elmina Sharks.
Joseph Addo, Aduana Stars
One of the experienced goalkeepers in the Ghana League this season. Addo was a member of the Aduana Stars squad that won the league in 2017. The 29-year-old goalkeeper remains the only shot-stopper to have featured in all 15 games played so far in the 2019/20 GPL season.
Addo has conceded 11 goals this season, with his highest defeat coming against Liberty Professionals in a 5-2 encounter. That notwithstanding the 2009 U-20 World Cup winner has kept 10 clean sheets which have seen Aduana Stars win 8, lost 3 and drawn 4 games in this seasons campaign.
Ibrahim Danlad, Berekum Chelsea
As a debutant in the Ghana Premier League, the Asante Kotoko 3rd choice goalkeeper on loan at Berekum Chelsea has been a delight to watch this season. Having missed just a game in the league this season, Danlad became the first shot-stopper to go unbeaten in the first 6 games.
With Berekum Chelsea, the Ghana U-20 shot-stopper has kept 9 clean sheets, won 8, lost 4 and drawn 2 games so far in the 2019/20 GPL campaign. His biggest defeat was against Elmina Sharks, the game ended 3-1. Danlad Ibrahim is the youngest goalkeeper in the list aged 17.
Frank Boateng, Ashanti Gold
Heavily criticized for the Miners 6-1 humiliating defeat to WAFA, Boateng is one of the top goalkeepers in this season’s league. The Miners’ safest pair of hands has kept the post in 14 games for his side with 10 clean sheets. His contribution to the Ashgold team has seen them win 6, lost 4 and drawn 4 games in the games he’s featured. If you compared all the goalkeepers who have played in more than 14 games, Boateng has a better ratio, conceding only 9 goals.
Richard Attah, Hearts of Oak
The goalkeeper joined the Phobians in the beginning of the season but finalized his switched from Elmina Sharks to the Accra based club 3 weeks after the season commenced. Attah’s exceptional performances earned a call up into the Black Stars squad for the AFCON qualifiers.
The goalkeeper has lost just one game in the league which was recorded against Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium. Following that setback, Attah has gone 8 games without a defeat, a feat which would be difficult to break when the league resumes. The 24-year-old’s impact has seen Hearts win 5, lost 1 and drawn 6 games. He’s conceded 8 goals by far.
Kwame Baah, Asante Kotoko
Prefered in the post ahead of captain Felix Annan, Baah has worked hard to merit his chance.
The former Inter Allies goalkeeper worked his way up the ladder distinguishing himself from Annan when the captain took time off to tie the knot and has since not looked back.
Compared to Annan who managed 2 defeats and 2 wins in his 1st 4 games, Baah’s presence saw the Reds win 2 and draw 2. Baah’s only defeat which could be regarded as the highest goal conceded was a 1-0 defeat to Aduana Stars. Before that, the 21-year-old had gone 6 games unbeaten since he took over from his skipper. The 2015 U-20 AFCON keeper for Ghana has helped the Porcupines to 5 wins, 1 defeat and 4 draws by far. Kwame Baah has conceded the least number of goals, which is 4 out in 10 games he’s featured in.
The 6 goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League