On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Abdul Karim Zito was appointed as Asante Kotoko’s new Technical Director and interim coach, succeeding Prosper Ogum.
Coach Zito, a former player and head coach of Asante Kotoko, returns with extensive experience at both the club and national levels, having led Dreams FC to a record CAF Confederation Cup semi-final and Ghana’s U-20 team to the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations triumph.
3Sports looks at the top four areas Zito must fixed in Kotoko.
Win double (League Cup and FA Cup)
Asante Kotoko’s management has charged coach Karim Zito and assistant Prince Yaw Owusu with winning the Ghana Premier League and the MTN FA Cup.
The club last won the double during the 2013/2014 season, under coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, and it has becoming increasingly difficult for the Porcupines to win both trophies at the same time.
Asante Kotoko last won the league in 2021-22, under Prosper Ogum. Kotoko last won the FA Cup in 2017.
After 28 games, Kotoko is fourth in the league with 47 points and has not won in four. Zito, with his knowledge, would have to help the Porcupines overcome this curse, which he (Zito) calls a challenging undertaking but doable to accomplish.
Develop a football philosophy
Karim Zito, has pledged to build a defined football philosophy for the club, something he believes is currently lacking.
Despite the pressure, Zito announced at his unveiling that he will build one for the Porcupines.
“I’m going to develop a philosophy for the club because they don’t have one,” Zito said. “At Dreams, I built one that is still in use. I want to accomplish the same at Kotoko, so that no matter who comes next, there is a system in place,” he said.
Protect Kotoko’s unblemished record at home
Asante Kotoko has maintained their unbeaten home record in the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season after returning from the Obuasi Len Clay stadium since November, 2024.
The Porcupines Warriors have played eight games, won seven, drawn one, scored 13 goals, and conceded 2.
Zito, who will play Aduana Stars, Dreams FC, and Medeama at home before the season concludes, will need to help turn the arena into an away team fortress.
Secure a first victory since 2016 over Hearts at Accra Sports Stadium
On matchday 30, Asante Kotoko will face rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium. Kotoko has yet to pick up all maximum points against the Phoobians in Accra in the Ghana Premier League since May 2, 2016, when they secured a 1–0 win.
Karim Zito, Kotoko’s new interim coach, would have to break the 9-year jinx over Hearts of Oak.
However, Kotoko Asante Kotoko has won four consecutive matches against Hearts of Oak since the 2023-24 season, putting them ahead of their opponents in recent clashes.
Hearts of Oak are now ranked sixth in the table and have gone winless in their last three GPL games.
By: Emmanuel Owusu
