Dreams FC head coach Abdul-Karim Zito has criticised the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) for consistently ignoring his achievements in their awards scheme, despite his significant contributions to Ghanaian football over the past years.
Speaking on Onua TV, the former Kotoko star criticised SWAG’s awards scheme, feeling that his accomplishments have been consistently disregarded, which has caused him considerable frustration.
Zito concluded by stating that he would no longer attend SWAG events and urging them not to nominate him again.
“Last year (2023), there was a media house that selected their top 5 coaches. I wasn’t even named among the top 5. Anytime SWAG nominate me, they overlook me for the award,” he fumed on Onua TV
“So I have taken the decision not to attend any SWAG event event if I am nominated. Because, I know I will be overlooked for others perhaps underserving.
“For 13 years, we had been in the wilderness until I won the WAFU Zone B for Ghana and eventually won the CAF U20 AFCON. But they handed the individual award to a coach aspiring to win a league in Ghana. You’ve sparked sadness in me this morning talking about this I feel pain!
“So I’ve decided that SWAG should not call me again regarding any of their event. There is no way I will go! They should not even nominate again!!
“Three times I’ve been there, three times I’ve been denied. Meanwhile, I am not there because I am Karim Zito, I am there because of my performance.
“So it’s true! I don’t know if it’s because of where I come from (referring to Dreams FC). But I am happy that gradually some of you (journalists) are understanding me and now seeing exactly what I am doing for Ghana football.”
Zito, an experienced coach, has been highly successful in both national and club football, making him arguably the best coach on the local scene for the past five years.
In late 2020, he led the Black Satellites to victory in the WAFU U-20 Championship in Benin, followed by triumph in the Africa Youth Championship in Mauritania.
Last season, Zito defied the odds by guiding Dreams FC to victory over then-reigning champions Hearts of Oak in the FA Cup final, earning them a spot in this season’s CAF Confederations Cup.
Dreams FC also came close to reaching the semi-finals after a first-leg win in Bamako against Stade Malien.
Dreams FC will take on the Malian giants in the return leg of the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday, April 7, at the Ohene Gyan Stadium.