In a passionate display of appreciation and admiration, representatives of the top echelons of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), last Tuesday, gave a standing ovation to Coach Karim Zito for his remarkable achievements as a Coach.
Coach Zito received this surprise recognition when he, as part of a delegation from CAF Confederations Cup semi finalists, Dreams FC, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr. Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku.
Supporting the President to receive the delegation from Dreams FC were General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq.), some members of the Executive Council, namely Nana Sarfo Oduro, Mr. Samuel Aboabire, Dr. Gifty Oware-Mensah and Mr. Eugene Nobel Noel, as well as some senior Management members of the Association.
President Simeon-Okraku singled out Coach Zito for high commendation, making reference to some of his achievements as a Coach: These feats include Coach Zito leading the Black Satellites to victory in the WAFU ZONE B U20 Championship and the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, and thus clinching qualification for the U20 World Cup in 2021.
Special mention was also made of Coach Karim Zito leading Dreams FC to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederations Cup in their maiden participation in African inter-club football competition.
President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku lauded Zito for his outstanding accomplishments, praising his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Sometimes when I see him (Zico) work and I hear him speak, I feel a bit emotional because he’s somebody I have known for long. I think he’s earned his respect among our coaches, and it’s important we accord him the respect that he deserves.,” President Simeon-Okraku said.
He emphasized the significant impact of Zito's leadership not only on Dreams FC but also on the broader landscape of Ghanaian football.
“From his long experience as an ex-international, to his experience of coaching all the big clubs in Ghana to him winning the WAFU Tournament, to winning the AFCON Tournament and qualifying Ghana to the 2021 World Cup which was cancelled to winning the FA Cup and to qualify Dreams to the semi-final if the CAF Inter-Club competition for the first time in 20 years by a Ghanaian club, Ayekoo,” Simeon-Okraku lauded Coach Zito.
“I think you deserve a standing ovation,” he added. And this was the cue for the entire gathering to rise and applaud Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The standing ovation extended to Coach Karim Zito serves as a testament to his exceptional talent identification, resilience, and visionary approach to coaching. It signifies the profound appreciation and admiration of the football fraternity for his invaluable contributions to the beautiful game.
As Coach Zito reflects on this moment of recognition, his journey stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring coaches and footballers across the nation.
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