Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito says the decision to keep striker Kwame Opoku in the Black Stars setup rests solely with Ghana head coach Otto Addo.
Opoku started in Ghana’s recent 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the Unity Cup but was replaced at halftime by Brandon Thomas-Asante, who went on to score Ghana’s only goal. Nigeria secured victory through a Cyriel Dessers strike and a Razak Simpson own goal.
Speaking in an interview aired on Peace FM, Zito clarified that while he supports Opoku, his continued involvement with the national team is up to Addo.
“Yes, it depends on the coach. After the game, I asked some questions and was told that the players available were the ones used. We don’t know what will happen later or whether Kwame will be invited again,” Zito said.
The Kotoko boss also noted that some players, like Abdul Aziz Issah, were given chances later in the tournament, suggesting that Addo is in an experimental phase.
“I asked why I hadn’t seen Aziz, and they told me he might be given an opportunity—and eventually, he got it. This is how it is.”
Zito believes Addo is taking a strategic approach, using the games to evaluate a wide range of players.
“The coach knows what he is doing. He wants to observe a bit of each player, take his notes, and when a difficult situation arises in the future, he’ll know who to call to help the team.”
