The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FC AshantiGold 04, Edward Kwasi Akuoko, has attributed the decision to part ways with head coach Abdul Karim Zito and two members of his technical team to inconsistent results, particularly the team’s form away from home, and reports of internal disagreements among the coaching staff.
The Ghana Premier League newcomers announced on Tuesday, October 27, that Zito, who also served as technical director, has been relieved of his duties alongside assistant coach Ernest Okyere and goalkeeper trainer Robert Dabo following a consultative meeting of the club’s Interim Management Committee.
The decision came after eight league matches in which the Obuasi-based side recorded three wins, two draws and three defeats, accumulating 11 points to occupy 11th place in the standings. Their latest outing was a 1-1 draw against Asante Kotoko at the Len Clay Stadium on Sunday.
Explaining the rationale behind the changes, Akuoko insisted that the club’s status as a newly promoted side would not compel management to lower its expectations, emphasising the need for consistent performances and better results on the road.
“As a serious club, you always want to win. I’m not a leader who always lowers expectations just because we are a newly promoted side. We are not saying we have to win the league at all costs, but we simply want consistent results. Our away performances have been poor.”
Edward Kwasi Akuoko, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FC AshantiGold 04
Three Consecutive Away Defeats Raise Alarm
AshantiGold’s away record provides a clear indication of the challenge confronting the club, with the Miners managing just one draw and suffering three defeats in their four matches on the road.
Their maiden away outing in the Premier League produced a draw a 1-1 against fellow newcomers Port City FC, but that result has followed three consecutive away defeats, a run that has exposed their difficulties in securing points outside Obuasi.
The contrast with their home performances has been significant. AshantiGold have won three and drawn one of their four home matches, demonstrating that they can compete effectively on familiar territory but have struggled to reproduce that form away from home.
The disparity appears to have become a major concern for management as the club seeks to establish itself in the top flight following promotion.
While their home record has provided a solid foundation for their campaign, the inability to collect points on their travels has limited their progress and left them four points above the relegation zone after eight matches.
Akuoko’s remarks suggest that the club is not demanding an immediate title challenge but expects the team to develop the consistency required to remain competitive throughout the season.
The decision to dismiss Zito and his assistants therefore comes amid concerns that the team’s performances, particularly away from home, have fallen short of management’s expectations.
Reported Tensions Within Technical Team
Beyond the results, Akuoko disclosed that reports of disagreements among members of the technical staff also influenced the decision to terminate their contracts.
The CEO said he had received information suggesting that members of Zito’s technical team were not on good terms, raising concerns about the possible impact on the team’s performances. “The second reason is that, personally, I received reports that the technical team led by Karim Zito were not on good terms, and that could be affecting our results,” he added.
Akuoko’s explanation introduces an internal dimension to the coaching changes, indicating that management was concerned not only about performances on the pitch but also about relationships within the technical department.
However, he described the reported disagreements as information he had received and did not identify the individuals allegedly involved or provide further details about the nature of the tensions.
Zito initially joined AshantiGold as technical director after leaving Asante Kotoko midway through the previous season before assuming the head coach position following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
The club has since appointed a caretaker coach to oversee the team while it searches for a substantive head coach and technical director.
AshantiGold’s immediate focus will be Sunday’s trip to face Swedru All Blacks on November 1, where they will seek to arrest their poor away run and respond positively to the changes in the technical department.
The encounter will offer an early test of whether the coaching shake-up can help the Miners translate their strong home performances into more consistent results on their travels.
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