Didi Dramani explains Solomon Agbasi absence in Hohoe United win, reaffirms Benjamin Asare as Hearts of Oak No.1

Hearts of Oak head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has sought to clear the air surrounding his goalkeeping selections, insisting that Solomon Agbasi’s absence from the squad in the win over Hohoe United was a deliberate welfare decision and not a reflection of his status or form.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Dramani revealed that the decision to leave Agbasi out of the matchday squad was aimed at giving the goalkeeper a complete mental and physical reset after a demanding run of matches.
“Solomon Agbasi wasn’t on the bench against Hohoe United because I gave him a mental and physical break. The mental break meant not being on the bench at all, so he could properly rest,” Dramani explained.
The clarification comes at a time when debate has intensified over the battle for the No.1 jersey at Hearts of Oak between Agbasi and Benjamin Asare. Agbasi has been in impressive form in recent weeks, producing a series of assured and commanding performances that have strengthened his case as a reliable option between the posts.
However, Benjamin Asare’s reduced involvement has sparked speculation, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing closer. Asare, who has featured in the Black Stars setup, is facing growing concern among fans and analysts that limited club action could affect his standing in Ghana’s national team plans.
Despite the discussion, Dramani has been quick to dismiss any notion of internal rivalry or demotion. The Hearts coach stressed that player welfare, squad rotation, and long-term performance remain central to his decision-making process, while firmly maintaining that Benjamin Asare is still regarded as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.