By Ken Bediako
My Abusco Headmaster Mr C.J. Bannerman of blessed memory once said “Were Teachers magicians no pupil would ever fail examinations, but where native intelligence is lacking even the gods are powerless.”
I would like to paraphrase and say “Were football coaches magicians, no footballers would ever play below standard, but where native skills are lacking even the gods are powerless.”
It is with a deep apprehension that I describe the Ghana Premier League a low- cost Competition. Standards are so low and unattractive you may assume most of the matches are being played behind closed doors. Even the celebrated crowd pulling Asante Kotoko, have failed to attract patronage and the reason is not hard to find. Scarcity of stars to watch.
A colleague sports writer describes football as theatre, where the audience must have their moneys’ worth. I agree with him.
As a keen follower of the fortunes of Kumasi Asante Kotoko I decided on Sunday to watch on TV their anticipated thriller against Aduana Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium. Since I was also interested in the English Premiership match involving runaway champs Liverpool and Spurs. I kept changing channels now and then so I can follow the progress of both matches simultaneously. This turned out to be a disappointing experience. The difference between the two matches was so wide I had pity for the Kotoko and Aduana players. In fact, I saw them as people who were pretending to be playing top division football.
It was at this stage that the quotation from my late Abusco Headmaster, C. J. Bannerman came to my mind.
It was obvious our local players have blatantly refused to learn how to play football. Poor ball control and wild shooting all over the place. Worse is the aimless, crude and robust tackling.
Some tackles were so vicious I wonder if any of the players would be able to play two full games in a week as sometimes programmed.
Karimu Zito and a lot of our local coaches have played good football before and they must be able to impress on the players the need to put on their thinking caps.
The Kotoko match against Aduana Stars was a big test for Zito who had just taken over from Prosper Ogum. Kotoko might have collected the maximum points all right but Zito must admit there is a long way to go.
I admire Zito’s courage. He fears no foe that is his trait. He was a courageous defender in his playing days and part of Asante Kotoko’s rich history in African football. Indeed you have to be extremely courageous to accept to handle the Porcupine Warriors at this crucial stage in the league.
Zito’s courage reminds me of the late veteran coach Akwasi Afranie who exuded so much confidence he once told me he would even accept to train the Brazil national team if given the offer.
Do you recall how he took the Black Stars to that ill-fated Afcon 1984 in Cote D’Ivoire at a very short notice damn the consequences. I am sure Zito believes in the maxim you can never have a second chance to make a first impression. So he has set the ball rolling with that important home win against Aduana Stars.
With five more games to go and three points adrift of the leaders all eyes are on the Nsawam born devout Muslim to take Asante Kotoko from the doldrums and bring the fans back to the once upon a time fast track stadium as the Baba Yara Stadium was nicknamed. This Sunday is a fine opportunity for him to prove his mettle against traditional rivals Accra Hearts of Oak.
For the records, it’s exactly 20 years ago when Zito handled Kotoko to win the 2005 league after a long domination by old rivals Accra Hearts of Oak. The Porcupines won with 63 points pipping Hearts to second place with 56 points. King Faisal were third with 50 points.
This league triumph nearly cost Zito his life.
Those were the days of Aziz Ansah, Nana Arhin Duah, Nasiru Ghani, Yusif Chibsah and Co. Incidentally, Zito nearly lost his life midway through the season on July 30.
On the eve of a second round third week match in Accra, Zito was attacked by a mobile phone snatcher at Kwashieman. In the struggle Zito was viciously stabbed on the left wrist. He remained at the Intensive Care Unit at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for a long time as Doctors worked frantically to save his almost severed wrist.
A dispirited Kotoko were beaten 3-1 by Liberty Professionals at Accra Stadium the next day.
All this experience has toughened Zito to face every subterranean aspect of competitive football. He is ready for any eventuality and it is hoped his players will up their game and finish hard in this marathon race.
Truth be told the current standard of the game is nothing to write home about. The players need to put in maximum effort that would motivate the fans to pay to watch them in action. The apparent care free attitude of the players must stop. It is in their own interest to work hard since age is currently on their side. Football is growing fast and they must put their God given talents to good use.
Supporters want to see footballers play their hearts out even if the going is tough. Most Ghanaians have seen good football before and they can’t afford to be shortchanged this time round.
The coaches will as usual do their bit by pointing out players shortcomings. That’s how far they can go
As the sages say you can force a horse to the river but can’t force it to drink.
A word to the wise is enough.
Let me end this piece with Zito’s profile. I complied in 1982 before the first champions’ league final against Al Ahly in Kumasi.
Here we go….
“ABDULAI KARIMU ZITO a devout Muslim is someone who believes football must be played the Brazilian way-cool, less body tackling, and allowing the ball to do the running.
Born at Nsawam on Oct 2 1959, Zito took to active football after completing his elementary school education at the Nsawam Roman Catholic School in 1976.
He played firstly for GIHOC Stars and Volta Juantex before joining Asante Kotoko in 1979. He is an electrician by profession. His father Mallam Shittu a mason and mother Madam Habatu is a trader. Zito is married to Hanawu Awudu and they have two children Nuru Mohammed and Abdul Razak.
He is determined to play for the national team like his local idol Opoku Nti. Green Eagles strongman Muda Lawal is Zito’s favourite player abroad.
Kotoko’s 2-0; revenge victory over Semassi of Togo in Kumasi last April stands out as his memorable event in his career and the 2-0 defeat by Great Olympics the saddest.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
