Richard Ofori is thriving on the “intense” competition between Ghana’s goalkeepers and insists he wants to keep his spot as first choice for a long time.

Lingering in the background is Sochaux‘s Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Felix Annan of Kumasi Asante Kotoko who has been knocking on Kwesi Appiah’s door with his brilliant displays on the local scene.

But there is little doubt that the Maritzburg FC shot-stopper is beginning to make that slot his own.

He was in beast-mode in Ghana’s 2-0 victory over Japan in Yokohama with a string of saves that were as significant to the win as the goals.

Ofori realises that the ball is now in his court to make the position his own for years to come. "I obviously want to be first-choice for a long time, but all I can do is make sure I play well and keep cleansheets when I can. That way I make the decision easy for the coaches," he told KweséESPN.

By Daraja Mutari/Ghanaguardian.com