Dreams FC Manager, Abdul Karim Zito, says he was very positive throughout the match against Elmina Sharks on Sunday despite the frustrations in the game.

It took a 90th-minute strike by striker Zuberu Sharani to seal the win for Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu.

According to Zito, he showed no negativity as the game wore on.

“There were no negative thoughts. I was only trying to direct our boys to get our rhythm.”

He added that the expectations on the boys were too high and that brought some pressure on the players.

“The expectations were too high especially being the Champions of the G8 tournament so people were expecting a fantastic performance so it brought a little bit of pressure from the boys and to me as a head coach, I had to try and manage it.”

Captain Leonard Owusu missed out on the game due to illness and that Coach Zito said had a toll on his plans.

“Our key player, the captain of the club was out due to illness so things initially did not go the way we were all expecting because the team is built around him.”

The first half was especially difficult as the players failed to take complete control of the game and there was some reproach and motivation from Zito during the half time team talk.

“I told them they were not playing the way I want them to play because I told them before the first half that they should stick to our philosophy of play no matter what and if there’s the need to change it, I will let them know. I told them to believe and trust in themselves and go out there to change the rhythm and deliver.”

Six players made their Ghana Premier League debut and Zito explained that his experience in youth development helped him psyche the debutants well.

“My specialisation is in youth development so I know how to manage and cope with these situations and there’s always one day for everybody in life so I told them to take this opportunity and seize it.”

Dreams FC play Berekum Chelsea at the Berekum Golden City Park up next and to Zito it will be difficult but Dreams FC will face it square.

“Berekum Chelsea away is not going to be easy but we are going to face it. We are going there to play our hearts out with a plan to come away with either 3 points or 1 point.”

Sunday’s game was Dreams FC’s first top flight match since 2016.