Ghana star Richard Ofori wants to avoid ‘useless’ thoughts on the World Cup. He is aware it could be pointless to think ahead to Qatar with much still to play for with Orlando Pirates.
The goalkeeper is in line to feature for the Black Stars in the Middle East this winter. A call-up could also make Ofori the only player from the DStv Premiership to represent Ghana in Qatar. But he will not focus on the FIFA tournament before concluding his domestic duties.
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Ofori is keen to avoid taking up a ‘useless’ position and focusing on the World Cup over the Bucs’ games. Orlando Pirates face Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby on Saturday before an MTN8 final clash with AmaZulu next week. A crucial seven days for the Johannesburg club.
Ofori has found a way back into Ghana’s squad ahead of the World Cup
Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro has relied heavily on Ofori to guard the Bucs’ goal so far this season. The 28-year-old has also repaid Riveiro’s belief with six clean sheets across his 12 appearances in all competitions. He has only conceded four goals since August, as well.
Impressing between the sticks at the Orlando Stadium has seen Ofori regain a presence in Otto Addo’s Ghana plans ahead of the World Cup. The 25-cap shot-stopper made his Black Stars debut back in 2015. But he fell out of their set-up over 2020 and 2021 due to injuries.
Addo gave Ofori only his fourth cap since 2019 during Ghana’s friendly with Nicaragua this September. The Black Stars will only play one more friendly before the World Cup starts in November. They will take on Switzerland seven days before meeting Portugal in Group H.
But Ofori will not put the Black Stars ahead of Orlando Pirates just yet
But while Ofori has found a way back into Ghana’s squad ahead of the World Cup, he will not put the Black Stars and Qatar 2022 ahead of Orlando Pirates just yet. Instead, he feels the Bucs deserve his focus and anything else can be detrimental to his World Cup hopes.
“I don’t think about the national team at the moment because if you are not fit in your club, the national team is useless,” Ofori stated, via Sowetan Live. “The most important thing is I need to perform and do my best so that when they call, I know I am ready.
“If you are not performing in your club when you go there, mentally you are weak. And the World Cup stage is the biggest dream of every young player to play there.
“At the moment, I’m thinking about the club, and how I will help them achieve and be successful this season. That’s my ambition.”
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