Kotoko coach Karim Zito eyes Ghana switch for defender Samba O’Neil

Asante Kotoko coach Karim Zito says he is trying to convince defender Samba O’Neil to switch nationality to Ghana.

O’Neil, originally Congolese, has yet to represent Congo-Brazzaville, and Zito believes he has the quality to play for Ghana.

Speaking after his captain scored a late penalty in Kotoko’s 2-1 win over Young Apostles at Baba Yara Stadium, Zito said, "Samba O'Neil is exceptional, and I have started trying to convince him to switch nationality to Ghana, then we can figure out the next step."

Samba moved to Ghana in 2024, joining Kotoko from Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC.

Under FIFA eligibility rules, a player can represent a country through birth, ancestry, or five years of residency.

Other routes include having a parent or grandparent born in the country, or being married to a citizen.