Shout of approval for Wollacott

Goalkeeping is one of the most crucial departments of football.

It is said that a team can play without any position in football, but cannot play without a goalkeeper.

Decades back, it was said that players with zero outfield ability – those lacking in technical finesse, athleticism (pace, power, endurance), football intelligence and competitiveness were those who were thrown in to guard the post.

That assertion has been rubbished long ago as there is now a burgeoning respect for goalkeepers’ abilities and unflinching willingness to throw their body on the line for the team.

Without them, you are doomed as a team.

Even when all hope seems lost and the opposition has breached defensive lines, seemingly set to put the game out of reach, a quality goalkeeper can pull off miracles and keep his side in it – saving the team’s blushes. So, it is not just about a goalkeeper but a quality one at that.

Number without count, we have seen how Manchester United’s dependable goalkeeper David de Gea has made himself big to save the ‘Red Devils’ from very tricky situations.

Sadly, Ghana’s senior national team (Black Stars) has not been lucky enough to have anybody in the ilk of the legend Richard ‘Olele’ Kingston since he hung his gloves.

Olele retired in 2017 at the age of 39, having last featured for Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers – after making 90 appearances for the Stars.

Today, the famed shot-stopper is the goalkeeper’s trainer for the Black Stars and would be excited molding someone to properly take over from him.

Truth is that the Stars have not really had a very top-notch goal-tender since Kingston’s exit as the team has played the ‘lottery’ with the likes of Razak Brimah, Adam Kwarasey, Fatawu Dauda, Richard Ofori, George ‘Kigali’ Owu and Lawrence Ati-Zigi, among others – in no particular order – getting between the sticks. 

The latest to make the ‘numero un’ cut is Joseph Luke Wollacott, who mans the post for English fourth-tier side Swindon Town.

Indeed, tongues went wagging when returnee Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, boldly handed him the first-choice spot ahead of Hearts of Oak’s venerated goalkeeper Richard Attah in Ghana’s double-header against Zimbabwe in a Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier.

The concern of fans was that Wollacott, who was carving his debut, lacked the requisite experience to man the post efficiently. Genuine concerns, though.

However, the Ghanaian goal-tender scored full marks in the afternoon’s 3-1 opening game win against Zimbabwe at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, producing a point-blank save four minutes after the hour mark. In the return fixture in Harare, though Wollacott was a bit nervy, he later got into his groove – his general performance quite impressive – though his confidence needs to be bolstered.

With more games, he will be better, is the general observation.

The 25-year-old England-based goalkeeper has so far received rave reviews from Coach Rajevac, the Ghanaian football fans and the media for his technical qualities and calm demeanour in post.

“First of all, it was good scouting and after arriving he proved himself at the training sessions. He really did a great job and deserves his chance.

“Today, he was at the top of his game and I’m satisfied with his performances and I don’t want to praise goalkeepers too much but he really did a good job,” Rajevac lauded his trusted shot-stopper, who was said to have been recommended by Kingston himself.

With two games remaining to decide the Group G winner, the Stars have nine points from four games, trailing leaders South Africa by just a point.

Many, though, believe Wollacott has not yet been truly tested to see how sharp his reflexes are. But former Ghana goalkeeping great Abukari Damba, see something grand in him after the Cape Coast affair.

“He was absolutely great; it was his first time playing in an environment he was not used to. He played with new and different players. His adjustment and adaptation was great, thumbs up to him. There is a great future for him so far as the Black Stars are concerned.”

Whilst we encourage Wollacott to remain mentally focused and strong-minded, he must also endeavour to master the art of being a team player.

Goalkeepers who want to play at the highest level must understand that it takes more than just blocking shots and kicking long balls to target strikers.

We believe he would come good and very reliable too, with time. Good luck to him.

by John Vigah