Karim Zito: Ex-Kotoko coach elated to qualify AshantiGold for top tier

Head coach of FC AshantiGold 04 Karim Zito cannot hide his joy after leading the club to the Ghana Premier League in its first attempt.

AshantiGold 04, formed from the purchase of Bekwai Heroes FC Limited, is different from the original AshantiGold SC who were demoted to Division 2 over betting scandals.

They secured promotion to the top tier following a 4-1 win over Skyy FC, with three games to draw the curtains in Zone II.

 

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In a post match interview, Karim Zito who guided Asante Kotoko to clinch last season’s MTN FA Cup, had this to say.

“I give thanks to the people of Obuasi for, the top brass [supporting us].

“That at the end of the day FC AshantiGold 04 has qualified for the premier league.” He told press men.

Zito led Kotoko to last season’s FA Cup title

Their qualification to the top flight brings back premier league football to Obuasi, a position previously occupied by AshantiGold SC.

FC AshantiGold vs AshantiGold Sporting Club

For information, FC AshantiGold 04 is a separate entity from the original AshantiGold SC.

AshantiGold SC, the historic club which reached the CAF Champions League finals and and lost to Raja Casablanca 5-4 on penalty shootouts in 1997, was suspended and demoted to Division Two by the Ghana Football Association following a match-fixing scandal during the 2020/21 season.

However FC AshantiGold 04, metamorphosed from the acquisition of Division One league side Bekwai Heroes FC Ltd.

Karim Zito effect and experience

Coach Karim Zito will bring his experience to steer the new boys having previously handled Dreams fc to the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.

He led Ghana’s U-20 to win a fourth Africa Youth Championship in Mauritania, tournament that produced Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and FC Aarau’s Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.