{
  "id": 12612045,
  "title": "Mohammed Polo vouches for Karim Zito to lead Black Stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/mohammed-polo-vouches-for-karim-zito-to-lead-black-stars",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:24:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/mohammed-polo-vouches-for-karim-zito-to-lead-black-stars/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Ghana international Mohammed Polo has endorsed Karim Zito to lead the Black Stars following Carlos Queiroz's departure. The vacancy arose after the Ghana Football Association and Queiroz mutually agreed to part ways on October 1, 2026, following a challenging start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying season. The Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation subsequently formed a five-member search committee, chaired by former GFA Vice-President Fred Pappoe, to find a new head coach. Polo, who was part of the country's victorious 1978 Africa Cup of Nations team, supports Zito's candidacy. \"At our background, back yard there. That was Zito,\" Polo told Citi Sports. \"Unfortunately, it’s not in the scene. I don’t know whether he’s relaxed or whatever. Otherwise, I would have [said he’s] somebody who can be given the chance to do something.\" Zito, currently the technical director at AshantiGold in the Ghana Premier League, has previously managed clubs like Asante Kotoko, Medeama, and Dreams FC. He has also overseen Ghana’s national Under-20 team and led them to victory in the AFCON in March 2021. The selection of the new Black Stars coach is anticipated to take place before Ghana's upcoming AFCON qualifying fixture against Somalia on November 11 and 15.",
  "summary": "Polo, who is a member of Ghana's 1978 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, believes Zito should be considered for the vacant position.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mohammed Polo endorses Karim Zito as Black Stars head coach.",
    "Polo was part of Ghana's 1978 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.",
    "Zito has coached Asante Kotoko, Medeama, Dreams FC, and Ghana U-20."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Mohammed Polo names two local coaches for Black Stars coaching job",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/mohammed-polo-names-two-local-coaches-for-black-stars-coaching-job",
        "published": "2026-10-07T10:27:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}