Following his team's 1-0 victory over Dreams FC in Sunday's Matchday 14 match at the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito has responded to what he calls excessive media pressure.
Speaking following the triumph, Zito compared himself to elite European managers and questioned the disparities in the reporting of injury concerns.
"Some media are unfairly pressuring me." Nobody objects when Pep Guardiola declares Rodri hurt. However, it becomes a concern when I mention that we have 13 injured players," Zito said.
Zito encouraged patience and perspective as the season progresses while defending his team's position in the league.
It is a marathon, the league. You are not being fair if you are criticising me for sitting fifth, especially because you are aware of the issues I am dealing with," he continued.
Kotoko had a four-match losing skid going into the game, which infuriated fans, some of whom publicly demanded Zito's dismissal. However, the victory over Dreams FC seems to have temporarily reduced tensions.
The coach said that the scrutiny around his role does not intimidate him.
He stated, "If I leave Kotoko today, nothing will happen to me," demonstrating his conviction that the criticism he is receiving is unjustified.
With 24 points after the win, Kotoko is now third in the league standings. This weekend on Matchday 15, they will take on Eleven Wonders.
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Jordan Ayew, the captain of Ghana, supports Palmer while Dembele wins FIFA The Best.
In his vote for the 2025 FIFA The Best Men's Player award, Ghanaian captain Jordan Ayew put Ousmane Dembele third and Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer first, ahead of France captain Kylian Mbappé.
As captain of Ghana's national team, Ayew had the right to vote, and his choices added to the captains' voting bloc.
A balanced system is used to determine the FIFA The Best awards; national team captains, coaches, journalists, and supporters each receive 25% of the total votes.
Ousmane Dembré, a forward for Paris St-Germain and France, won overall, despite Ayew's preference for Palmer. The 28-year-old won the prize following an incredible 2024–25 campaign in which he was instrumental in PSG's historic first Champions League victory and assisted the team in winning four major trophies.
Dembele outperformed Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Mbappe of Real Madrid in the final standings due to his consistency in both domestic and European competitions.