The head coach of Asante Kotoko, Karim Zito, has voiced strong concerns regarding the scheduling of matches in the Ghana Premier League, particularly the Wednesday-Sunday fixture routine. He argues that this schedule is contributing to increased fatigue among his players, negatively impacting their performance.
Asante Kotoko recently participated in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, which has compounded the fatigue issues faced by the squad. The team has had to play their outstanding league matches on Wednesdays and then return to the pitch just days later for Sunday encounters, leading to a series of challenging conditions.
The team’s recent form reflects these difficulties; they have now recorded two consecutive draws, with the latest result being a stalemate against Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Zito noted that the physical state of his players has hindered his ability to conduct effective training sessions before matches. He emphasized the visible tiredness among the team, highlighting the strain the current schedule places on them.
In a post-match interview, Zito stated, “I saw tiredness within the boys and this is the league, we have to play.” He also called on the Ghana Football Association to reconsider the fixture arrangements, referencing previous seasons where teams like Dreams FC and Samartex suffered as a result of similar scheduling challenges.
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He added, “Wednesday-Sunday [fixtures], we are not Europeans. They have energy, what they eat and the tablets they take, not to dope them but to give them what the body here cannot give you. Seriously, I don’t think it’s fair.”
Currently sitting sixth in the league with 16 points, Asante Kotoko will face Young Apostles in their outstanding fixture on November 19. The implications of the fixture congestion and fatigue will be closely monitored as Zito seeks to rejuvenate his squad in the coming weeks.
