Today’s profiling focuses on Asante Kotoko’s Head Coach, Abdul-Karim Zito. A former Ghanaian international right-back, Zito has previously coached several clubs, including Dreams FC, WAFA, King Faisal and Kwaebibirem, among others.
Read on for his profile:
Full Name: Abdul-Karim ‘Zito’ Kabutey
Nickname: ‘Soccer Policeman’
Place of Birth: Nsawam
Age: 65 years
Abdul-Karim Zito Kabutey was born on 5 October 1960 at Nsawam in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He lived and schooled in Nsawam where he attended St. Martin’s Secondary School. He started playing football at an early age but his club career started officially as a lateral defender, specializing on the left and right-wing of defense for GIHOC Stars in the early 70s. He was nicknamed ‘Soccer Policeman’ by veteran commentator Kwabena Yeboah during a CAF Cup second leg match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Semasi Club of Togo at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. He took over the position of Charles Oppong who had started in the 2-0 first-leg defeat in Lome. Zito earned this nickname due to his brilliance on the day and his ability to keep Semasi’s danger man Abdul Razak at bay.
Zito moved to Juantex FC before Kumasi Asante Kotoko spotted and requested for his services in 1978. He played for Kotoko from 1978-86 before moving to Kumapim Stars. Abdul-Karim Zito’s prowess at Club level gave him prominence and was later selected to play for the Black Stars from 1980-1984.
In Coaching, he holds all the three approved licenses from CAF i.e. C, B and A. Abdul-Karim Zito brought his coaching ability to bear after qualifying the following clubs to the Ghana Premier League. He led Kwaebibrem Stars, Feyenòord Academy (now WAFA) to the Premier League. Kumapim Stars (player/coach and Mighty Royals and FC Medeama to Division One. He also had stints with – Asante Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak, King Faisal and BA Stars before taking over from C.K Akonnor at Dreams FC where he led them to the Premier League in 2018 before winning the G8 tournament and the MTN FA Cup.
Before his latest appointment as Coach of Asante Kotoko, Abdul-Karim Zito held the position of Head Coach of Dreams FC and led them to the semifinal of the CAF Confederation Cup. Zito also won the WAFU U-20 and the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2021. He is a committed Moslem, married with 7 children 5 boys and 2 girls.
Honours:
Footballer
– Premier League – 5-time winner
– FA Cup – Won twice
– CAF Champions League finalist – 1982
– CAF Champions League Winner – 1983
Coach
– Qualified Kwaebibirem to Ghana Premier League – 2000
– Qualified Feyenoord (now WAFA) to Ghana Premier League – 2004
– Qualified Medema SC to Division One League – 2008-2009
– Qualified Dreams FC to Ghana Premier League – 2018
– Winner Ghalca G8 title – 2018
– Winner WAFU B U-20 Cup of Nations – 2020
– Winner U-20 Africa Cup of Nations – 2021
– Winner MTN FA Cup – 2023
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