'It's not just criticism anymore; it's become personal' - Lawrence Ati-Zigi responds to ex-coach Christopher Nimley.

Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has responded to his former youth coach, Christopher Nimley, accusing him of turning football critique into a personal vendetta. Ati-Zigi's remarks follow Nimley's comments regarding the goalkeeper's communication during Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, suggesting it has been a persistent weakness since their time together at the youth level. In an emotional discussion with Sporty FM, the St. Gallen shot-stopper acknowledged their previously close bond, which has since soured. "Christopher Nimley has significantly influenced my life, and I don’t deny that. I was part of his team during my youth, so I know him well. However, over time, we failed to sustain our prior relationship, and things have turned quite negative between us," Ati-Zigi expressed. When asked about the possibility of mending their relationship, the Ghana international conveyed his deep disappointment over Nimley's decision to express his opinions publicly. "I don’t think this is the right time for reconciliation as I feel genuinely let down. I heard many of the things he said. There will always be critics in football, but when someone continually discusses another person, it shifts from criticism to a personal issue." Ati-Zigi believes Nimley's remarks transcended objective football commentary and crossed a line. "In this case, I feel it's become personal. His critique no longer appears to be fair but rather something driven by personal feelings. It’s as if he’s resolved to talk about me relentlessly, disregarding what I do." The 29-year-old emphasized that he welcomes constructive criticism but expects it to be delivered in a fair and balanced manner. "He hasn’t been fair in his comments. If there was an issue, he should have addressed it privately instead of taking it to the media and crafting this entire narrative. You try to ignore such things, but eventually, they reach you, and they affect you. He ought to find a way to provide criticism that isn’t personal, as this really isn’t appropriate." Ati-Zigi had a commendable showing during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivering impressive performances until an injury cut his tournament short. He later returned for the Round of 32 match against Colombia, where he was widely acclaimed as the Black Stars' top performer, despite the team's exit.