Ghana U-19 coach, Karim Zito, has come out strongly in defense of Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, dismissing rumors that Okraku interferes with player selections.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Zito categorically stated that Okraku has never influenced his decisions regarding team selection.
“I can swear to you that sometimes Kurt doesn’t even know the players we pick,” Zito emphasized.
He recalled a specific instance after qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Okraku invited him to his office to discuss the team’s prospects.
According to Zito, Okraku never dictated which players to select but instead offered encouragement and support.
Zito revealed that Okraku’s only input was to ask if he wanted to strengthen the squad, which led to the consideration of adding three foreign-based players.
Although one of the players was unable to join due to COVID-19 restrictions, Zito’s experience demonstrates Okraku’s hands-off approach to team selection.
By sharing his personal experience, Zito aimed to set the record straight and dispel rumors surrounding Okraku’s involvement in player selections.
The Ghana U-19 coach’s testimony underscores the independence of the technical team in making decisions about team selection, contradicting allegations of interference by the GFA president.
