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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Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
