Karim Zito discusses plans for Asante Kotoko
The Acting Head Coach and Technical Director of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Karim Zito, says the players don’t just need tactical instruction; they need emotional support and understanding.
Reflecting on the club’s struggles this season, including a four-game winless streak and general inconsistency, Zito emphasised that his approach will go beyond the technical side of coaching.
“This time, it’s not coaching they need, they need me to be their father. They need me to be their friend. And they need me as they are. I have to come low to their level to get what I want.”
Zito believes that the emotional burden of underperforming for a club like Asante Kotoko weighs heavily on the players, especially when they face public scrutiny even outside the pitch.
“Playing matches and you don’t win. You can’t go out as an Asante Kotoko player. If somebody sees you standing somewhere, might even frame you waiting for your girlfriend which creates a lot of problems.
“So I need to bring both technical knowledge and empathy. There’s the tactical side of coaching, but there’s also a political and psychological side. We’ll use both,” he added.
As Zito steps in during this turbulent phase, he hopes to rebuild not only the team’s tactics but also their confidence, unity, and sense of purpose.
Zito, says his return to the club is driven by a clear philosophy to bring beauty back into goal scoring and winning.
Abdul Karim Zito replaces Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, who mutually parted ways with the club after a four-game winless run.
Ogum previously led Kotoko to the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League title and was named Coach of the Year in 2022. In his second stint, he guided the club to the 2024/25 FA Cup semifinals but struggled for consistency in the league.
“For now, we have to be content to only winning, not adding beauty. My philosophy is to add beauty to goal scoring. That’s how I see the game,” Zito mentioned.
He explained that controlling possession is not only key to breaking down opponents but also to protecting one’s own goal.
“Without possession, you can’t win games,” he stressed, adding that, “If you want to stop the opponent from beating you, you have to possess the ball. When you lose the ball, you lose the game.”
Zito, who previously coached Ghana’s U-20 national team to continental glory, is expected to steady the Porcupine Warriors and restore both results and style to a side struggling with form and identity. –Citinewsroom
