Karim Zito is no stranger to defying the odds in African football. The veteran coach, who led Dreams FC to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2024, now finds himself tasked with reigniting Asante Kotoko’s continental spark.
The Porcupine Warriors have not reached the knockout stages of the competition since 2004, when they were crushed out by arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in a historic final. Twenty years on, Zito is convinced Kotoko can end that barren run – provided his players buy into the same values that carried Dreams FC to glory nights on the road.
“There were some factors that helped Dreams FC, and I hope that those factors will soon help,” Zito told LUV FM.
“We were all on board. Everybody was giving their best. Players were disciplined, were united, from the board down to the ball boy.”
It was that formula that saw Dreams FC become the first Ghanaian side in two decades to reach the knockout stages of Africa’s secondary club competition, and the only team in 20 years to win twice away from home in the knockouts.
Now back on the Confederation Cup stage for the first time since 2021, Zito wants Kotoko to rediscover those same principles of discipline and togetherness.
“I’m trying to bring that factor here; everything that achieves will tell you at the end of the day, we’re united. We have to unite and then listen to instructions. We do what we’re supposed to do, and then we’ll do the best. It will be okay,” he said.
Kotoko begin their latest adventure against Kwara United in the preliminary round, with the first leg set for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 21 September, before the return fixture a week later in Ilorin. Kick-off in Accra is scheduled for 15:00 GMT.
By: Pascal Amoah
