Former Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad has offered heartfelt support to Benjamin Asare ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting his role is not to advise but to pray for his colleague’s success.

As the Ghana national football team intensifies preparations for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, debate continues over who will command the post for the four-time African champions.

Danlad, however, has made it clear that respect comes first.

“Benjamin Asare is my senior, so it wouldn’t be right for me to advise him. I can only seek God’s luck, favour and strength for him, to protect him from any disgrace or injuries," he told 3Sports.

The former Black Stars goalkeeper spoke glowingly about Asare’s professionalism, highlighting the qualities that have earned him admiration within the football fraternity.

"I really admire his conduct both on and off the pitch, and I pray that he performs exceptionally well for Ghana in the tournament,” Danlad added.

With Ghana aiming to improve on recent World Cup campaigns, the spotlight will inevitably fall on whoever earns the nod between the sticks.

For Danlad, though, the focus remains on unity and collective belief, and on hoping that Asare delivers when the moment arrives on football’s grandest stage.

The four-time African champions have been drawn in Group L, where they will come up against Panama, England and Croatia. Ghana opens its campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and wrapping up the group phase against Croatia on June 27.

As part of their build-up, the Black Stars are scheduled to reconvene in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany, followed by a final preparatory fixture against Mexico in May.

The team will be based at Bryant University in the United States for the duration of the tournament, as they seek to move beyond the early exits that have marked their last two World Cup appearances and push for a deeper run on football’s biggest stage.