Former Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito has firmly defended his time with the Porcupine Warriors, insisting his tenure should be remembered as a success despite the challenges that ultimately led to his departure.
The experienced trainer stepped into one of the most demanding roles in Ghanaian football when he replaced Prosper Narteh Ogum as interim coach midway through the 2024/25 season. At the time, Kotoko were navigating a turbulent period, with results fluctuating and pressure mounting from supporters eager to see the club return to its dominant ways.
Zito’s arrival, however, quickly sparked a remarkable turnaround.
In a stunning sequence of results, the veteran coach guided Kotoko to an incredible run of silverware, lifting the MTN FA Cup, the Toyota Cup, the President Cup and the Champion of Champions.
What made the achievement even more extraordinary was the speed at which it happened.
Four trophies arrived in just 43 days, a feat that Zito believes speaks volumes about the work he and his players accomplished during that intense period.
Reflecting on that historic run, the coach did not hide his pride.
“Winning four cups in just 43 days is not an easy task,” Zito declared during an interview with Akoma FM.
The achievement cemented his place among the few coaches in Ghanaian football who have overseen such a rapid accumulation of trophies at one of the country’s most storied clubs.
Following that success, Kotoko’s hierarchy rewarded Zito’s work by confirming him as the club’s substantive head coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Expectations immediately soared.
Supporters believed the man who had delivered a trophy blitz could now lead the team into a new era of dominance.
However, football often delivers unpredictable twists.
Despite moments of promise, Kotoko’s campaign began to face turbulence, and pressure steadily grew as the team struggled to maintain the momentum that had defined Zito’s early months in charge.
The turning point arrived in the FA Cup.
Kotoko suffered a painful home defeat to Aduana FC, a result that ended their hopes of defending the trophy they had won under Zito the previous season.
The loss proved decisive.
In the aftermath of the elimination, Zito chose to step down from his role, bringing his chapter with the Porcupine Warriors to an abrupt end.
Yet the coach remains adamant that his legacy at Kotoko should be measured by what he achieved during his time there.
“At the end of the day, I consider myself very, very successful with Kotoko,” he insisted.
“It wasn’t easy, but we made it happen.”
Those words reflect the pride of a coach who believes his work during that unforgettable trophy run deserves recognition.
Kotoko have since turned to another experienced figure to steady the ship.
Former assistant coach Prince Yaw Owusu is currently serving as interim head coach while the club navigates its next phase.
Meanwhile, Zito has wasted little time in embarking on a new challenge.
The veteran tactician has been appointed head coach of AshantiGold SC’s developmental side, known as AshantiGold 04.
The move marks a fresh chapter for the coach, who has long been respected for his ability to develop young players.
Indeed, Zito’s reputation as a talent developer stretches back to his time with Ghana’s national youth teams, including his stint with the Ghana U-20 national team.
For many observers, his return to a developmental environment could prove a perfect fit for a coach known for nurturing emerging stars.
Still, his whirlwind spell at Asante Kotoko — highlighted by four trophies in just 43 days — will remain one of the most remarkable chapters in recent Ghanaian club football.
And if Zito has his way, history will remember it not for how it ended, but for the silverware it delivered and the statement it made.
In his own words, the verdict is simple:
“We made it happen.”
