Kotoko Coach Attacked

The Head Coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club, Abdul Karimu Zito was last Saturday night rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra following an injury he sustained on his left wrist from a cutlass wound inflicted by unidentified attackers who snatched his mobile phone.

"The left wrist is almost off and what is left is a small flesh" were the words of Ms Eunice Ofosu-Blewu, Night Superintendent at the Accident Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital when the Graphic visited the centre on Saturday night.

Ms Ofosu-Blewu said Zito was referred to the plastic surgeons for assessment of his condition and to see how best it could be put into shape. Speaking from his hospital bed, Zito said he was returning from the funeral of the late Hearts of Oak Coach, Ofei Ansah at the Accra Sports Stadium to the Kingsby Hotel at Achimota where his team were camping pending their match against Liberty Professionals at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

He said on reaching Kwashieman traffic light, near the foot bridge, there was a heavy traffic jam and as he slowed down he suddenly felt a tap on his left shoulder. He turned to the left and within a twinkle of an eye, he realized that his phone had been picked from the right side of the front door. Zito said he then parked his vehicle and confronted two men who were then standing close to his vehicle to demand for his phone. During the confrontation, he said he heard the ringing tone of his phone on one of the men so he intensified his struggle with them.

In the process he felt three quick hits, first from his back, then his shoulder and then the third and cruelest on his left wrist as he held one of the men. Zito said the incident which ensued for over five minutes was in the full glare of passers by but nobody came to his aid for fear of being attacked too. He said he was then driven to the Korle-But Teaching Hospital in his own vehicle by some good Samaritans while he bled profusely.