Former Black Satellites coach Abdul Karim Zito has opened up about his decision not to apply for the Black Stars coaching job, citing concerns over potential controversy and backlash against Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku.
Zito, who is highly respected among local coaches, was considered a strong candidate for the Black Stars role when it became vacant earlier this year. However, he chose not to pursue the position, and the GFA ultimately reappointed Otto Addo.
In a recent interview with Joy News, Zito explained that his close relationship with Okraku could have led to accusations of favoritism if he had applied for the job. He was wary of creating a situation where Okraku might face undue criticism from the public, fearing that it would be interpreted as preferential treatment.
"I've never been considered for the Black Stars role because Kurt is the president, but I'm happy. I'm okay with it. People don't really know Kurt. Let me tell you something—how he treats me is the same way he treats other coaches when it comes to the job. People think I get preferential treatment. No, I don't," Zito shared.
Zito defended Okraku's decision-making, asserting that his appointment as a coach was based on merit, not personal connections. "Kurt didn’t give me a job because I’m his boy; he gave me the job because of my ability and capability as a coach. Are you saying Kurt doesn’t want results? He would face more criticism than I would if I didn’t perform," Zito stated.
Reflecting on his long-standing career, Zito recalled being appointed as a national team coach by former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, long before Okraku took on his current role. He expressed pride in his achievements and questioned why he should have to prove himself again.
"I was given the national team job by [former GFA president] Mr. Nyantakyi when [Kurt] was the Executive Council member. Do I deserve to be a national team coach or not? Based on my work over the years, I can proudly say I’m the best youth coach in Ghana. If you have someone capable, why go hunting for a coach elsewhere when one of your own can deliver and bring results?"
Zito also emphasized his loyalty to Okraku, noting that applying for the Black Stars job could have further complicated the situation following Ghana's disappointing AFCON performance. "When we failed at the AFCON, there were insults all around. Applying for the Black Stars job would have been like adding salt to the wound. Imagine if people heard that Zito had applied for the job—Kurt would die. He’s a human being. I don’t want him to die, so I had to say no, even if it meant harming my own career," he said.
Despite acknowledging his qualifications and extensive coaching experience since 1988, Zito concluded that it was wiser to avoid the controversy that could have arisen from his application. "Results make a good coach, and I keep getting the results. The criteria they brought—I qualified. I’ve been coaching since 1988. What more do I need to prove? Even those who set the criteria—I was coaching before some of them were born. Why did Maxwell [Konadu] get the job, why did [Ibrahim] Tanko get it, but not Zito? If it's about qualifications, I qualify. But this is Ghana, so I have to think carefully before applying for anything."
Zito has recently added to his impressive resume by leading the Black Satellites to victory in the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and guiding Dreams FC to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in the club’s debut campaign.
