Head coach of Orlando Pirates Mandla Ncikazi has confirmed that Richard Ofori has been invited to the Ghana team for the 2022 World Cup play off game against Nigeria.

His return is a welcoming news for most Ghanaians as the deputy Black Stars shot stopper had been sidelined with an injury for a long time.

Richard Ofori missed the 2021 African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon due to a long term injury concern but is now fit and played for his South African side this weekend.

The Ghanaian shot stopper was in post as Orlando Pirates played Eswatini minnows Royal Leopards in the CAF Confederations Cup game which they won 3-0 with the Ofori keeping a clean sheet.

Whiles Ghana has decided to keep the Black Stars squad against Nigeria close to their chest, Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi has revealed that the former Wa All Stars goalkeeper has been handed a call up for the Nigeria clash.

“Ofori is a top professional, Ghana selected him without playing a game. I was surprised.” Ncikazi told the South Africa media.

“You could just see the confidence he brings and breathes around the defence and I’m sure he is going to lessen the leaking of goals at Pirates because more than the fact that we are not scoring we are also letting in goals and I’m sure it’s going to improve.” He added.

His return will bring a lot of competition to the goalkeeping department as he has to compete with Jojo Wollacot for the first choice goalkeeper.

Ofori last played for Ghana during the 2022 World Cup qualifier group stage game against South Africa in Johannesburg which Ghana lost 1-0.