Asante Kotoko’s head coach, Abdul Karim Zito Kabutey, has resigned from his position with immediate effect, just days ahead of the highly anticipated Premier League Super Clash against eternal rivals Hearts of Oak scheduled for Sunday in matchday 22 in Kumasi.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure on Zito following a string of disappointing results. In their most recent Ghana Premier League fixture, Kotoko suffered a 3-1 defeat to Heart of Lions, which highlighted ongoing struggles with form and consistency.
The situation worsened last Sunday when the team endured a shocking elimination from the MTN FA Cup at the Round of 16 stage, losing 4-2 on penalties to Aduana FC in a match held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. This exit was particularly stinging, as it marked another setback in a season where expectations remain high for the Porcupine Warriors.
Zito joined Asante Kotoko from Dreams FC, where he had previously enjoyed success by leading the team to MTN FA Cup glory. Notably, under his guidance last season with Kotoko, the Porcupines lifted the FA Cup trophy by defeating Golden Kick in the final, adding to his credentials as a two-time FA Cup-winning coach.
Despite these achievements, recent performances drew significant scrutiny from fans and observers alike.
Reports indicate that the club’s management convened a meeting in the early hours of Monday, February 9, to discuss Zito’s future in the wake of the FA Cup defeat.
The outcome of those discussions appears to have led directly to his resignation, which the club has officially confirmed and accepted. Zito, who has previously stated publicly that he has never been sacked in his coaching journey and would not hesitate to step down if his employers expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, ends his 11-month tenure at the club.
He leaves Asante Kotoko in fifth place in the Ghana Premier League standings with 35 points from 21 rounds of matches.
With Zito’s departure, Asante Kotoko now face the challenge of preparing for their crucial league encounter against Hearts of Oak without their head coach.
The Super Clash carries immense significance for both clubs and their passionate fanbases, and the Porcupines will need to quickly regroup under interim leadership or an incoming replacement to maintain momentum in the league table.
The club has thanked Zito for his contributions, including his role in securing the FA Cup title last season, and wished him well in his future endeavors, as attention now turns to who will take the reins during this pivotal period.