Karim Zito Criticizes Ghana Premier League Schedule for Causing Player Fatigue
Karim Zito, head coach of Asante Kotoko, has expressed serious concerns about the Ghana Premier League schedule. He believes that the Wednesday-Sunday match routine is causing player fatigue. This fatigue is adversely affecting his team’s performance on the pitch.
Ghana Premier League Fixture Concerns
Asante Kotoko has been active in various competitions, recently participating in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. This busy schedule has exacerbated the fatigue among the players. The team has been required to play outstanding league matches on Wednesdays, only to compete again a few days later on Sundays. This situation has created challenging conditions for the squad.
Recent Performance and Impact
The team’s recent form highlights these difficulties. Asante Kotoko has recorded two consecutive draws, with their latest match ending in a stalemate against Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Zito has observed that the physical condition of his players has made effective training sessions increasingly difficult.
- Current League Position: 6th place with 16 points
- Recent Matches: Two draws, latest against Aduana FC
- Next Fixture: Young Apostles on November 19
Call for Scheduling Review
In a post-match interview, Zito voiced his concerns, stating, “I saw tiredness within the boys.” He urged the Ghana Football Association to reconsider the current fixture arrangements, citing past seasons where teams like Dreams FC and Samartex faced difficulties due to similar scheduling issues. Zito emphasized that the physical demands faced by his players are not comparable to those of European teams.
“Wednesday-Sunday fixtures are not suitable for us. They have access to better nutrition and recovery resources,” Zito remarked. He believes the current schedule is unfair and detrimental to the players’ performance and health.
As Asante Kotoko prepares for their upcoming matches, the implications of fixture congestion and player fatigue remain critical issues. Zito aims to revitalized his squad in a challenging league environment.
