Football has seen certain positions revolutionised in recent years.
That’s certainly the case for full-backs, who are being asked to contribute heavily in every single phase of the game and are required to be in peak physical condition at the top level. It’s true of strikers, too, who also contribute more heavily in more areas—the days of the elite poacher who does little other than score goals are drawing to a close.
However, no role has undergone more of an evolution over the last 25 years than the goalkeeper.
The proactive, intercepting, ball-playing net-minders we praise today barely existed a decade ago. In fact, if you go back to the early 1990s, goalkeepers were actually allowed to pick up back-passes directly from defenders. All they had to do was save it and kick it long.
Nowadays, it’s an all-inclusive role, crucial in both classic and modern ways. Shot-stopping and reflexes remain as important ever, but new dynamics—such as distribution, sweeping up, aggressive positioning and improved athleticism—reign supreme as well.
Frederick Asare, born on May 28,1999, is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He is often been described by numerous fans and pundits as one of the greatest shot stoppers in our league. The talented goalkeeper began his professional career through the ranks of Chico, Danbort, Wafa and Accralions. He spent 6 years at Accra Lions and his performance on goal also earned him his first call – up to the Black Satellites and was part of the squad that participated in the 2019 WAFU under-20 tournament, African Youth Championship in Niger 2019 and the 2019 African Games in Morocco.
He had wonderful years at Accra Lions where he played sporadically for six seasons prior to relocating to Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the beginning of 2022-23 season on a free transfer on a 3 years deal.
Having joined Kumasi Asante Kotoko from Accra lions, as a result Asare’s success in the Ghana Premier League for his former club, the 24 year old became a key player for the porcupine warriors as he replaced their first Keeper Ibrahim Danland who was on international duty for some couple of times.
Fredrick Asare, is arguably a commanding and courageous goalkeeper. The young sensation is well known for his agility, positional sense, and game reading ability, as well as his fast rush for a loose ball or in one on one situations.
His distribution level too is on top, he has good ability to accurately take opponents out of the game, turning defence into attack, over both short and extremely long distances, with feet, with hands and whether heavily pressed or not, is exceptional.
In his debut season for the Pourpine warriors the 24 year old goalkeeper made 21 appearances and kept seven clean sheets. It was a good achievement for a young sensation to have this numbers in his first season for a big Club like Kumasi Asante Kotoko. He won KSGPLA Goalkeeper of the season award, organized by Kesseben Sports.
“ I would like to use this opportunity so show my appreciation and gratitude to Kessben Tv for this award as the best goalkeeper for the maiden edition of the Kessben Sports Premier league Player Awards , I would like to thank everyone who voted for me”, Fredrick said.
Frederick Asare performed brilliantly throughout the season and became a crowd favourite. The fans loved his eccentric behaviour, his taunting dribbles and step-overs past opposing strikers, and most importantly, his remarkable reaction saves.
Very often, it was critical saves that kept Kotoko from defeat or dropping valuable points in some games in the just ended season.
After facing various injuries in the just ended season, he believes he will be in good shape for the upcoming season.
Frederick Asare is one of the most complete keepers in Ghana football, in years to come don’t be surprised to hear his name on bigger stages. He is certainly a star, and a Black Stars material.
By: Gideon Mensah|oktranking.com|Ghana
