Head coach of Asante Kotoko Abdul Karim Zito has defended his striker, Kwame Opoku after failure to score for the Black Stars in their 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the 2025 Unity Cup.
Opoku was in the starting line up for the Black Stars on the first day of the Unity Cup against Nigeria but failed to live up to the expectations of the masses by finding the back of the net and was eventually substituted after halftime for Brandon Thomas Asante, who came on the score Ghana’s consolation goal. A two goal lead for Nigeria via Rangers forward, Cyriel Dessers and an own goal by Nations FC defender, Razak Simpson secured the 2-1 win for the Super Eagles in the “Jollof Derby” at the GTech Community Stadium on Wednesday, May 28.
Despite criticism of Opoku’s performance, the former Dreams FC and national U17 and U20 coach defended his player, revealing that the striker didn’t get enough service during the game. "We have to ask ourselves how many passes did they give him because it is like going to the market to buy items to prepare palmnut soup so that you prepare and we eat.” He said.
“After all this who gave him a pass that he didn't score he did the pressing and created the pass. But all along he was running he was running throughout maybe he didn't play to the way we know him if he scored we would have said he did well," he told Peace FM.
"The pressing alone it can help because of late modern football if you cant press you cant play and i saw him running here and there. “But we were expecting that Kwame Opoku will score if you are a number 9 and you haven't scored they feel you didn't do well immediately you score you have done well. I am okay with him if he brings that confidence in the league I think it will help us.” Coach Zito added.
Ghana lost the opening semi finals by 2-1 to arch rivals in the subregion, Nigeria before seeing off Trinidad and Tobago by a 4-0 thumping to claim bronze.
The Unity Cup served as a preparatory exercise for the Black Stars to stay ready for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September where they jet off to Chad before hosting Mali in the match day 7 and 8 respectively.
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