Asante Kotoko have named Prince Yaw Owusu as interim head coach ahead of their Ghana Premier League showdown with arch-rivals Hearts of Oak, following the resignation of Karim Zito.

The club confirmed that Owusu, previously serving as assistant coach, will temporarily take charge after Zito stepped down on Monday, ending his seven-month tenure as the team’s substantive head coach.

Zito had previously found success during an interim period, leading Kotoko to an MTN FA Cup victory.

However, after being confirmed as head coach, inconsistent results put increased pressure on the technical bench, ultimately prompting his departure just days before the high-profile clash with Hearts of Oak.

In a statement on their official X page, Asante Kotoko announced that Owusu will lead the team on an interim basis, supported by Mohammed Hamza Obeng.

Hamza Obeng, a former Hearts of Oak assistant coach who joined Kotoko ahead of the season, will assist Owusu as the club prepares for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium fixture.

The interim coaching duo will be expected to deliver a performance on par with — or better than — the first encounter between the sides this season, which Kotoko won 1-0 in Accra.

The club indicated that long-term technical plans will be communicated following the conclusion of the match.

Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko’s Communication Director, Sarfo Duku, has said the club was “not surprised” by head coach Karim Zito’s resignation following their FA Cup exit.

Zito stepped down on Monday after Kotoko lost 4-2 on penalties to Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Stadium.

“We were not surprised, because we knew that the coach wasn't happy with the performance of his team, and so it didn't come to us as a surprise at all,” Duku told Luv FM.

On whether the club had considered dismissing Zito, he added: “No, we had no plan to do that. We were to receive the details of what transpired in the course of the match. And then, of course, we have asked the necessary questions.”

Kotoko have won just once in their last five matches across all competitions, and attention now shifts to Sunday’s Super Clash against rivals Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium.