Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito has hit back at growing calls for his dismissal, describing the pressure for his removal as hasty and unwarranted amid the club’s uneven run this season.
The former Dreams FC tactician is under scrutiny after a string of mixed results that have left the Porcupine Warriors languishing in fifth place on the Ghana Premier League table, with 35 points picked up from 21 outings. Expectations at Kotoko remain sky-high, and patience among the fanbase is wearing thin.
That tension deepened over the weekend when Kotoko crashed out of the FA Cup at the Round of 16 stage, suffering a painful elimination at the hands of Aduana FC. After both sides were locked in a goalless stalemate across regulation time at the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko faltered in the shootout, losing 4-2 on penalties, a result that further fuelled frustration among supporters.
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Discontent had already been brewing even before the cup encounter, with sections of the fanbase openly questioning Zito’s suitability to lead the club forward. However, the coach has appealed for calm and unity during what he believes is still a salvageable campaign.
Speaking to Asempa FM on Friday, January 6, ahead of the FA Cup tie, Zito said:
“Calls for my dismissal are premature. I ask the fans to support the team as we hope to achieve our target.”
Our FA Cup run comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/sPN6w0RfCg
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) February 8, 2026
The FA Cup exit has only amplified the pressure on the technical team, given that the competition was viewed by many as Kotoko’s most realistic route to silverware this season. In the league, the Kumasi giants sit eight points adrift of leaders Medeama SC, leaving little room for error in the second half of the campaign.
With scrutiny intensifying around both the squad and the dugout, Kotoko must now quickly regroup as attention shifts to the season’s marquee fixture, the Super Clash against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak.
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The heavyweight showdown is set for Sunday, February 14, at the Baba Yara Stadium on Matchday 22, a contest that could further define Zito’s fate at the club.
