Black Starlets Head Coach, Abdul Karim Zito, says insulting junior national teams stifles the development of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars.
Zito believes that the focus on winning trophies and the subsequent public criticism put undue pressure on young players, diverting their attention from proper development.
During an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, Zito expressed his concern,
“Yes, when you go to a competition, you win.
You will be very happy. But it shouldn’t be the focus. The moment we go and you people start insulting us, it will drive us from development to goal-scoring.
Then, Black Stars will never benefit if you start insulting at this age. But, I don’t have a problem with that.
When you look at about ten years, anytime Black Stars lineup, there’s a player I have coached inside. And that alone is my happiness.”
Zito’s stance on prioritizing player development over immediate success has raised eyebrows among football fans and experts alike.
While some agree that nurturing young talent should be the primary focus, others argue that winning at the junior level is essential for building confidence and a winning mentality among young players.
