Gor Mahia midfielder opens up on World Cup appearance

Gor Mahia midfielder Abdoul Karim Zoko has a rich curriculum vitae (CV) that boasts of appearing in the Under 17 FIFA World Cup back in 2009.

Karim featured for Burkina Faso in the World Cup that was hosted back in Lagos, Nigeria back in 2009.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the 27-year-old revealed that he has made a number of appearances for the Burkina Faso junior sides but is waiting for his senior debut.

“I played in the Under 17 World Cup with Burkina Faso back in 2009 in Nigeria and after that, I played in the Under 20 and Under 21 in the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville,”

“We reached the final against Senegal but unfortunately we lost 1-0 but I’m yet to make an appearance for the senior team,” said Zoko.

Zoko played alongside Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore who has turned out for European giants such as Chelsea with the former Ajax midfielder scoring a goal in the 4-1 thumping of Costa Rica in the tournament. 

Burkina Faso punched above their weight in the tourney as they qualified for the knockout stages after finishing second in Group D that comprised Turkey, New Zealand and Costa Rica.

They were however eliminated at the quarter-finals hurdle by a star-studded Spain side that consisted of Isco, Alvaro Morata, Koke and Sergi Roberto.

The midfielder who has worked with the current K’Ogalo head coach Manuel Vaz Pinto at Ethiopian giants St.George FC revealed that he has not struggled to adapt in the country.

“For me, it has not been too difficult because I’m used to travelling a lot and I’m an introvert so I’m not really outgoing which makes it easy.”

“I have no problem with the food in the country, I like ugali because I had it when I was in Ethiopia perhaps it's only the weather which was hard to adapt to,” added the midfielder.