Hindsight: A history maker makes way for history-chasing Zito

As the final whistle approaches, Abdul Karim Zito feels heightened senses.

Like a star-nosed mole, all his sensory receptors are activated. He can feel the weight of the ball and his players' energy, even from 200 meters away.

When Stephen Amankona broke free in stoppage time, Zito nearly shouted instructions.

Once the referee blew the final whistle, all those heightened senses faded away.

Zito warmly embraced his technical staff and Chelsea’s Samuel Boadu.

He has won this competition before with Dreams F.C in 2023. Yet, his desire to lift the cup again burns brightly.

This victory means more than his first win.

Zito expressed this at his unveiling three weeks ago: “I have left a place that had become home to come back to my real home.”

His journey with Kotoko includes a trophy-laden career and personal tragedy. As a player, he won five league titles and two FA Cups.

He also helped Kotoko win the CAF Champions League during his nine years there.

Returning as an assistant coach in the early 2000s, he won another league title in 2006.

With titles and dedication, Zito embodies what it means to be a legend.

If he wins again as a coach, he will secure a spot on Kotoko’s Mount Rushmore.

This moment feels different for him; it feels better.

Though he hasn’t won yet, winning the FA Cup across generations would be sweet.

Sunday's win was not vintage but functional and commendable.

Before Zito's appointment, Kotoko struggled significantly. They conceded seven goals in three matches while scoring only three times.

They had one win, two draws, and two losses during that stretch.

Kotoko often faded in matches and struggled with game intensity despite their slow-paced league.

They conceded multiple second-half goals against Accra Lions and others earlier this season.

Now there is noticeable freshness about the team under Zito's leadership.

Skeptics attribute this change to "new manager bounce." If so, Zito is making the most of it.

Against Accra Hearts of Oak and Berekum Chelsea, they showed more stamina late in games.

Having top finishers like Albert Amoah and Kwame Opoku certainly helps too.

Berekum Chelsea’s Samuel Boadu has already won two MTN FA Cups as a coach (with Accra Hearts of Oak).

Boadu celebrated his first title in 2021 after beating Ashantigold S.C., then defended it successfully in 2022 against Bechem United.

However, Sunday’s defeat will sting for him deeply. He was close to winning with two different clubs this season too.

For Boadu, this loss meant just as much as it did for Zito.

The final months of Boadu's tenure at Hearts have overshadowed his four titles within just over a year.

Last year he took over struggling Berekum Chelsea midway through the season and finished third overall—above Kotoko’s Prosper Ogum who had full transfer authority and pre-season preparation time.

In less than a year, Boadu transformed Chelsea into competitive contenders by securing third place and reaching the semi-finals of the MTN FA Cup—their best performance ever in that competition.

Despite being the only coach to defend the FA Cup since its return, losing still hurts him deeply.

But this isn’t over for Samuel Boadu; he plans to lift trophies again soon.