FC AshantiGold 04 have sacked head coach and technical director Abdul Karim Kabutey Zito, along with assistant coach Ernest Okyere and goalkeepers’ trainer Robert Dabuo, with immediate effect after just eight games of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season.
The decision was announced on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, following a consultative meeting of the club’s Interim Management Committee held on Monday, 26 October. A caretaker technical setup has been put in place pending the appointment of a permanent head coach and technical director. In the club’s statement, signed by CEO Edward Kwasi Akuoko, management thanked the departing staff for their contributions and wished them well.
Background on Karim Zito’s Tenure
Zito, a seasoned Ghanaian coach and former Asante Kotoko boss, joined FC AshantiGold 04 ahead of the 2026/27 campaign after leaving Kotoko. He took on the dual role of head coach and technical director and had previously guided the side to promotion from the Division One League to the Ghana Premier League, securing it with games to spare.
The club’s start to top-flight life has been inconsistent. After eight matches they recorded three wins, two draws and three defeats, accumulating 11 points and sitting around 10th or 11th in the table. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw against Asante Kotoko in the Ashanti derby at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi on Sunday. They were next scheduled to face Swedru All Blacks away.
CEO Edward Kwasi Akuoko’s Explanation
In an interview, CEO Edward Kwasi Akuoko openly explained the reasons for the sacking. He cited two main factors: underwhelming results, especially away from home, and internal disharmony within the technical team.
“As a serious club, you always want to win. I’m not a leader who always lowers expectations just because we are a newly promoted side. We are not saying we have to win the league at all costs, but we simply want consistent results. Our away performances have been poor.”
“The second reason is that, personally, I received reports that the technical team led by Karim Zito were not on good terms, and that could be affecting our results.”
Reports indicate Zito was not on talking terms with his assistant coaches, pointing to strained relations within the technical staff that management believed was impacting performances.
Akuoko emphasised that promotion status was not an excuse for lowered standards. Management expected consistency rather than mere survival or mid-table mediocrity. Away form was a particular concern, alongside the reported interpersonal issues in the coaching setup.
Context and Implications
The record of three wins, two draws and three losses from eight games for 11 points represents a solid but not outstanding start for a newly promoted side. Club leadership viewed the inconsistency, particularly on the road, and internal friction as unacceptable.
The sacking comes shortly after the home draw with rivals Asante Kotoko, though the decision followed the Monday management meeting.
FC AshantiGold 04 aims higher than typical newly promoted expectations. The dual role given to Zito underscored the initial high confidence placed in him after the promotion success.
An interim coach is now in charge. The club is expected to search for a permanent replacement to stabilise the campaign and improve consistency.