Burkinabe coach Seydou Zerbo fingers Abdulai Gazale, Najahu Issa as the architects of his failure at Kotoko

Former Asante Kotoko coach, Seydou Zerbo, has attributed his failure at the club to his former assistant, Abdulai Gazale, and goalkeeper’s trainer, Issa Najahu.

Zerbo, a Burkinabé, was appointed as the Head Coach of Asante Kotoko for the 2022/23 football season, taking over from Prosper Narteh Ogum, who had led the club to win the Premier League title in the previous season.

During his tenure, Zerbo faced difficulties and ultimately, he was dismissed from his position. Some football experts had opined that Zerbo’s inability to communicate effectively in English was a significant factor in his failure.

However, Zerbo strongly disagrees with this opinion and instead points the finger at his former assistant and the goalkeeper’s trainer.

The Burkinabé coach expressed his belief that Abdulai Gazale and Issa Najahu played a role in undermining his efforts and contributing to his downfall at the club. Despite the challenges, Zerbo’s communication skills were not the primary issue in his view.

“Communication was not that a problem for me but you know it was a bit complicated but when I arrived at the club there was Moise Pouaty who did the translation for me and later physical trainer Nasim Islam arrived too from Algeria and he also facilitated the communication as he spoke English too. So the communication with the players went well. There was no problem with that,” Seydou Zerbo told Kumasi-based Fox FM.

He continued: “But the biggest problem I faced at Kotoko was Abdulai Gazale and Issa Najahu who did not accept my arrival at all. They did everything to make sure I fail. They are enemies of progress who plotted my downfall. They spent their time to make things difficult for me and Islam Nazim at Kotoko.

“When I tell them [Gazale and Najahu] something to tell the players , they intentionally tell the players different things entirely. They were not professional at all in my opinion.” , the expatriate trainer lamented.

Seydou Zerbo went on to reveal that he at some point informed Nana Yaw Amponsah of the situation, hence the reason why Orlando Wellington was appointed.

“Yes. I informed Nana Yaw Amponsah and that is why they brought Orlando Wellington to help me. Now when Gazale was sent away from the team , he was still in touch with some players who were on his side and were doing his bidding and don’t forget Najahu was still there,” he added.

The Burkinabé Coach also revealed that the club has failed to fulfill its obligations to settle his three months salary arrears as agreed upon following the termination of his contract, a situation he’s looking to report to FIFA.

Per information gathered, Seydou Zerbo was on $3,000 a month salary at Asante Kotoko, amounting his three months salary arrears to $9,000.