Sports
Price for Zito’s sack
LAST Sunday’s defeat to Accra Hearts of Oak was Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s fifth in the 22-week-old 2025/26 Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.
For followers of the Porcupine Warriors, it was the most painful among the five defeats, having to see Hearts wield the bragging rights until the next clash.
Hearts is the last club Kotoko would want to lose to; and it is also the case with Hearts. Defeats to each other hurt their egos, puncture their self-esteem and psychologically affects their moods.
In short, a defeat to the other is unacceptable. Such is the robust rivalry that exists between the two clubs.
It, therefore came as a shock to many when Coach Karim Zito was fired just a few days to such an important clash.
Of course, in the world of football, hiring and firing of coaches are very much part of it but it turns into something else when a club gets the timing wrong.
In Kotoko’s case, it was clear the timing was wrong and they paid dearly for it.
Even with a man down to their advantage, Kotoko struggled to control the game and surprisingly conceded some dangerous chances which Hearts failed to score.
But one wonders what considerations were made before the decision to fire a Head Coach who had built some rapport with members of the playing body ahead of such crucial match.
Eventually, Kotoko’s performance suggested that all was not well with the club.
Since Karim Zito joined from Dreams FC, he has enjoyed little peace with the inconsistent performances and outcomes; and has struggled to nail down a top three spot on the table.
But putting up a defence for Zito becomes a difficult task considering the quality of players at his disposal. The same applies to Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani who heads the technical bench of the Phobians.
With the resources at their disposal, they are able to attract the best players on the local scene, and sometimes beyond the borders of the country. Some of these players they sign finish the previous seasons as cult heroes with their previous clubs but after joining Hearts or Kotoko, they become very ordinary.
For Kotoko, ahead of the 2024 season for instance, they signed Albert Amoah from Olympics as one of the finest goal poachers, right-back Shayibu Abubakari from Karela United for the 2025/26 season, forward Johnson Oppong Owusu from Tajikistan, midfielder Hubert Gyau from Berekum Chelsea and midfielder Seth Kwadwo from Bechem United.
Others include midfielder Lord Hilary Adabo from Samartex FC, Philip Amoh from New Edubiase United, Joseph Amoah from Legon Cities, Ndongani Samba Gilbani O’neil from Rahimo FC in Burkina Faso, Mohamed Camara, a goalkeeper from SOAR Académie SC, Guinea, Saaka Dauda, a winger from Bofoakwa Tano, Lord Amoah from Berekum Chelsea, AbdoelRahman Yoouef Yagoub and Esmat Hassabalbagi, all from Sudan, among others.
For the Phobians who have engaged coaches and fired about two, they have also combed the various clubs, signing the best players to stay competitive in the last four years.
Notable among those signings are Kelvin Osei Asibey from Techiman Eleven Wonders, Kofi Agbesimah from Bechem United, David Oppong Afrane from King Faisal, Michael Ampadu from Legon Cities FC, Albert Dieudonne Eonde from Cameroonian, Kwabena Anane from Golden Kicks, Mawumi Wayo from Bibiani Goldstars, George Paaku from Accra Lions, Solomon Agbesi, a goalkeeper, Frank Abora Duku from Vision FC and Black Stars top goalkeeper Benjamin Asare from Great Olympics.
It is therefore a wonder that Kotoko and Hearts are currently struggling to keep pace with the likes of Medeama and Goldstars despite the heavy investment over the last five or so years.
This problem has contributed to the sharp decline of the three traditional giants, the third being the Wonder Club, Accra Great Olympics which is currently in a worse situation; unfortunately, with little investment.
Kotoko got their decision wrong and that will cost them the league diadem but one would only hope they learn some useful lessons and bounce back strongly to compete for the trophy the next season.
By Andrew Nortey
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Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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