Assistant coach Prince Owusu to lead Asante Kotoko against hearts of oak after Zito steps down

Asante Kotoko will go into next Sunday’s high-stakes Ghana Premier League clash against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak without a substantive head coach following the resignation of Abdul Karim Zito Kabutey.

The Kumasi-based club confirmed on Monday that Zito has stepped down from his position with immediate effect, a decision that has been accepted by the club’s management.

In a brief statement, Kotoko expressed gratitude to the coach for his services during his tenure and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Zito’s resignation comes in the aftermath of Kotoko’s disappointing exit from the MTN FA Cup on Sunday. The Porcupine Warriors were eliminated at the Baba Yara Stadium after losing 4–2 on penalties to Aduana FC, following a goalless draw at the end of regulation time.

The defeat dealt a significant blow to the club’s hopes of winning silverware this season and is understood to have played a key role in the timing of the coach’s decision to step aside.

With the resignation taking immediate effect, Kotoko now face the daunting task of preparing for the Super Clash without a head coach in place. The encounter with Hearts of Oak remains one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in Ghanaian football, often carrying implications that extend beyond league points.

Club officials have indicated that the club’s new technical direction will be communicated in due course, suggesting that interim arrangements may be made ahead of the high-profile showdown.

For now, attention will focus on how the playing squad responds to the sudden change, as Kotoko seek to regroup and deliver a strong performance against their oldest rivals amid uncertainty on the technical bench.