The fallout from Abdul Karim Zito’s resignation as Asante Kotoko head coach continues to generate discussion, with the club’s Ashanti Regional Circles Chairman, Alex Manu, insisting the players must take a significant share of responsibility for the team’s disappointing performances.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, Manu rejected suggestions that the former coach or the club’s demanding supporters should bear the full burden of blame. Instead, he pointed to possible internal issues within the squad, including lack of cohesion and unresolved personal concerns among players.
“He’s not working alone. He’s working with players,” Manu stressed. “We should also go to the players and meet them one after the other to ask them if they had any issues. Because normally when players are having issues with each other, or they’re having issues with the club, this is how the performance always goes.”
While acknowledging that Kotoko’s supporters are naturally a pressure group that expects consistent victories, Manu reiterated his belief that coaches who understand the club’s culture particularly figures like Zito, a former player and club legend deserve a measure of patience during challenging spells.
Zito stepped down on February 9, 2026, with the Porcupine Warriors sitting fifth in the Ghana Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Medeama SC. The club had also suffered exits from both the CAF Confederation Cup and the MTN FA Cup, results that heightened scrutiny on the technical bench.
Manu’s remarks now shift the spotlight firmly onto the playing body, questioning whether mentality and unity within the squad may have contributed more to the downturn than tactical decisions alone. His comments come at a crucial juncture, with Kotoko preparing for the high-stakes Super Clash against arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak on February 15 — a fixture that could define the direction of their season.
“So, if you don’t take time and you sack your coach, the team also remains,” Manu added. “But, for this one, let’s see. We hope for the best.”
As Kotoko begin life after Zito, attention turns to whether the players can rally, rediscover form, and justify the faith of supporters or whether lingering internal challenges will continue to stall the Porcupine Warriors’ campaign.
