Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori, currently with AmaZulu, has openly shared his dream of representing the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Black Stars are already confirmed as one of the nine African nations heading to the tournament after finishing top of Group I with 25 points from 10 qualifying matches.
Ofori, however, was not part of the squad that secured qualification. His last appearance for Ghana came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where the team exited the tournament earlier than hoped.
Speaking to the media ahead of AmaZulu’s Betway Premiership clash with Durban City, the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper expressed his delight at Ghana’s fifth World Cup qualification and extended congratulations to those who contributed to the achievement.
At the same time, Ofori admitted he has personal ambitions to make the World Cup squad but emphasized that staying active and consistent at club level is essential.
“Yeah I’m still playing,” Ofori said.
“So I’m working hard and then focusing on my team at the moment. That’s what you need to do for you to be there, because you can’t sit on the bench, or you can’t sit and then just wake up and go.
“So I’m working hard in my team to help my team in the league, and then the rest will take over,” the Ghanaian goalkeeper stated, according to Idiskitimes.
Ofori also revealed he hasn’t spoken to Ghana coach Otto Addo recently but remains fully supportive of the Black Stars regardless of what unfolds next year.
“Recently no [haven’t spoken to the coach] but before, he used to call me, and he’s a good man, so he used to check up on his players. He hasn’t abandoned any player, but we focus more on the ones that they are playing, because the World Cup qualifiers were so intense.
“So sometimes you need to just congratulate them or say encouragement towards to them. And then we try to push the guys to do the work because irrespective of anything, we are Ghanaians and that’s the same goal that everyone must have because that’s the country where we are coming from.
“So we need to support the team and then we need to push the team in one direction. He’s a good man, and I know everything will be fine and everything will go well.”
