Ranking Ghana's Top 6 Goalkeepers of All Time, Including Richard Kingson
- Since gaining independence, Ghana has produced many outstanding goalkeepers who have written their names in football history
- These shot-stoppers have stood tall for the Black Stars on the biggest stages, from AFCON finals to memorable World Cup campaigns
- To celebrate their legacy, YEN.com.gh has put together a comprehensive ranking of the six greatest Ghanaian shot-stoppers of all time
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Over the years, Ghana has produced several world-class goalkeepers, who have played crucial roles as the last line of defence for the national team.
When considering the best shot-stoppers to have turned out for the Black Stars, names like Sammy Adjei come to mind - but which is the greatest?
Source: Getty Images
To settle the debate, YEN.com.gh has ranked the top six Ghanaian goalkeepers in history, based on their achievements and successes.
Ranking Ghana's top 6 greatest goalkeepers ever
Edward Ansah
The Tema-born goalkeeper enjoyed a journeyman career that stretched across Ghana, Nigeria, and India before his retirement in 2004.
Edward Ansah was Ghana’s No. 1 at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, guiding the Black Stars to a runners-up finish after a penalty shootout defeat to Ivory Coast.
Remarkably, he earned a recall to the national team at the age of 40 in 2003, making three more appearances under then-coach Burkhard Ziese.
Ansah then switched to management, lending his knowledge as a goalkeeping coach for the Black Stars and later managing Hearts of Oak, Bechem United, Dreams FC, and Indian side Churchill Brothers.
Dodoo Ankrah
Despite nearly six decades passing since his last game for the Black Stars, Dodoo Ankrah’s name still shines brightly.
He was the first-choice goalkeeper when Ghana won their maiden AFCON title on home soil in 1963 and was part of the team that defended that crown in Tunisia two years later.
Ankrah also represented his country at the 1964 Olympic Games and, at the club level, helped Real Republicans secure four consecutive FA Cups between 1961 and 1965.
Joe Carr
Inspired by his idol Robert Mensah, Joe Carr followed in his footsteps by moving from Ebusua Dwarfs to Asante Kotoko.
Known for his sharp reflexes and interceptions, the goalkeeper even shared his hero’s trademark of wearing a hat in goal.
Carr's defining moment came in 1978 when he was in goal as Ghana clinched the Africa Cup of Nations for a third time.
Sammy Adjei
A key figure for both club and country, Sammy Adjei earned 38 international caps and was Ghana’s undisputed No.1 until 2006.
With Hearts of Oak, he also achieved continental glory, winning the CAF Champions League in 2000 and multiple league titles.
Adjei's career also took him abroad to Tunisia and Israel before he retired in 2013, with many still wondering what could have been.
Robert Mensah
Arguably Ghana’s most legendary goalkeeper, Robert Mensah combined supreme skill with unmatched confidence when between the stocks.
Famous for taunting opponents with antics like pretending to read a newspaper in goal and wearing a cap, his charisma matched his talent.
He was runner-up for the 1971 African Footballer of the Year award and led Ghana to the AFCON final in 1968, also representing the nation at the Olympics that year.
With Asante Kotoko, he won both the league and the CAF Champions League.
Tragically, as reported by The Guardian, his life was cut short in 1971 when he was stabbed to death, dying in hospital at just 32 years old.
Richard Kingson
Any list of the country's greatest No. 1s has to include Richard Kingson, Ghana’s most capped goalkeeper with 90 appearances.
Taking over from Adjei in 2006, he became a pillar for the Black Stars, starring in AFCON tournaments, earning All-Star Team selections in 2008 and 2010, and playing a pivotal role in Ghana’s historic run to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.
Kingson’s club career took him to Turkey and England, where he represented sides like Galatasaray and Blackpool.
Since retiring in 2015, he has served as the Black Stars’ goalkeeping coach, continuing his legacy off the pitch.
Why Sammy Adjei struggled in European football
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh also reported on why Sammy Adjei failed to make his mark in Europe despite the expectations many had for his career.
Many have asked why, despite his unfiltered talent, the iconic Ghanaian goalkeeper was unable to carve a deeper legacy in 'the beautiful game'.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
