Bad officiating in Ghana Premier League affecting Dreams FC - Karim Zito

Dreams FC coach Karim Zito attributes their ongoing struggle in the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League to what he perceives as poor officiating.

Despite having one game in hand, the team currently occupies the 14th spot on the league table with 31 points.

Zito contrasts the team's performance in domestic competitions with their success on the continental stage, pointing to the demanding schedule of juggling domestic league matches with CAF commitments as a significant challenge.

He highlights the fatigue and pressure incurred from frequent travel for matches and acknowledges the toll it takes on the players.

“There is tiredness and pressure in playing league matches, as well as the Confederation Cup. Travelling is very difficult and we have to travel on Sundays for a match and Wednesdays for midweek games, as well as travelling to play in Africa. It puts a lot of pressure on the boys,” he told Graphic Sports.

Zito also expressed his dissatisfaction with the officiating standards in the Ghana Premier League, citing it as a contributing factor to their lacklustre performance domestically.

However, he remains upbeat about their chances in Africa, citing better playing conditions and officiating standards on the continent.

“Officiating is very bad in the league and it is one of the reasons we are not doing well in the league but in Africa pitches are good and officiating is equally good and that is why we are doing well there,” he added.

Despite their domestic struggles, Dreams FC gears up for a crucial clash against Zamalek SC in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinal.

The first leg is scheduled to take place at the Cairo International Stadium, with Zito and his team set to depart Ghana on Thursday for the anticipated encounter.