Asante Kotoko goalkeeper, Danlad Ibrahim believes Lawrence Ati-Zigi’s Black Stars career would have ended if he had been a local goalkeeper.
The Kotoko skipper explained that Zigi has had a drop in form since returning to his club after the 2023 AFCON, conceding 10 goals in five games.
Speaking with Rahim Ayew and other experienced players on Tiktok live, He stated that if Zigi were a local goalkeeper with such form following a major tournament, he would never be called up again.
“After the AFCON, Ati-Zigi has not even won a game yet. He has conceded 4 goals and 5 goals in more than three games. If it were to be a local goalkeeper, he’d be done with the Black Stars,” he said.
Danlad cited Ati-Zigi as an example to explain how he lost his number-one spot at Asante Kotoko, which affected his call-up to the Black Stars.
“It all started after the World Cup. It has nothing to do with performance. That, I can confidently say.”
“I played only one game after the World Cup, we lost 2-0 at Dawu. When I watched the highlights, there was no single goal that I was at fault but after the game, they said I was proud and I didn’t train well. So I didn’t play again.”
He said unfair criticisms of local goalkeepers right after a stint at the Black Stars have cost the progress of many in recent years.
“If you look at the trend, they start attacking after every mistake.
You can look at the Richard Attah’s issue. Some of the mistakes are normal because you’re a human being and it can happen.”
Danlad Ibrahim, who was tipped to be the future of Black Stars goalkeeping, has been playing as a second fiddle to Frederick Asare.
He has played at all levels for Ghana except the Black Stars where he is yet to make his debut despite earning a couple of call-ups.
Listen to what Danlad Said:
