Dreams FC head coach Abdul Karim Zito has lauded Black Stars coach Otto Addo, calling him a disciplined leader and a tactical mastermind ahead of Ghana’s final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Angola and Niger.
Despite Ghana’s challenging performance in the qualifiers so far, Zito, a seasoned Ghanaian coach, expressed admiration for Addo, the former Borussia Dortmund talent coach.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Zito highlighted Addo’s strong principles and strategic approach: “This coach you see, nobody can divert his course. You see him, I like him for one thing: he’s very disciplined and very tactical,” he said. “What he wants to do is what he did.”
“So, to me, I’m very happy. They only have to play well, and if he gives them the opportunity, they can prove themselves for the rest of Africa,” Zito added.
Zito also emphasized the challenge faced by local players seeking to break into the national team, especially when comparing African football to the standards in Europe.
“Because seriously, when you are in Europe, looking at what Europeans are doing, and then you come to Africa, it will be very difficult for a local player to break in,” he said. “It’s a fact because the local players have to do extra before they can make it.”
The Black Stars convened for training in Accra on Monday, with eight players taking part in the first session at the Accra Sports Stadium. They will continue their preparations before traveling to Luanda on Wednesday.
Ghana is determined to overcome their tough start in the qualifiers and secure a spot at the 2025 tournament in Morocco. With only two points from four matches, they currently sit third in Group F, trailing Angola and Sudan.
Ghana will face Angola on November 15 at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, followed by a home match against Niger Republic three days later.