Zito cites inexperience for Dreams FC’s poor start, vows strong comeback
Dreams FC Head Coach, Abdul Karim Zito, has pointed to his team’s lack of experience as the main reason for their struggles in the Ghana Premier League this season.
Despite winning the FA Cup last season and making an impressive showing in the CAF Confederation Cup, Dreams FC have found the domestic league far more challenging, slipping into the relegation zone by the end of the first round.
The experienced tactician did not shy away from addressing the challenges head-on, admitting that the leap from lower-tier football to the top flight had been a steep learning curve for his fledgling stars, many of whom were recruited from the lower division.
“Some of our players came from Division Two, and when you are learning, patience is required. Some adapt quickly, but others take time to adjust to the system,” he admitted in an interview with the Graphic Sports.
Advertisement
The coach also highlighted the daunting task of going toe-to-toe with Ghanaian football giants such as Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. For young players, the pressure of performing on such a grand stage could be overwhelming, and Zito acknowledged that it had been a baptism of fire for his squad.
However, the ongoing break in the Premier League has provided a glimmer of hope. Zito has used the pause to regroup, fine-tune his team’s tactics, and integrate seasoned players brought in to bolster the squad.
With 20 points to their name and sitting just above the drop zone (they have won four, drawn eight, and lost seven matches this season), Dreams FC are far from safe – but Zito remains defiant.
“The level of play in the second division is completely different from the Premier League,” he noted.
“Players coming from the lower tier always struggle at first, but I can assure you that when the league resumes, we will be a different side altogether,” he added.
As Dreams FC prepare for the second round of the season, Zito’s message is clear: “While the road has been rocky, the ‘Still Believe’ lads are ready to fight for their survival – and prove their critics wrong”.
