Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito says his team missed a big chance to close the gap on league leaders Medeama SC after losing to Heart of Lions.
Kotoko were beaten 3–1 by Heart of Lions on Saturday at the Kpando Sports Stadium in Matchday 21 of the Ghana Premier League.
The defeat came a day after Medeama lost 2–1 away to Nations FC, a result that gave Kotoko hope of cutting the points difference at the top of the table.
Speaking after the game, Zito admitted the result was painful given the situation.
“Medeama lost yesterday, and today was our chance to close the gap. Honestly, I feel we missed that opportunity,” he said.
“That is why I was not expecting this result, because in terms of preparation, we worked very hard. We prepared extremely well.”
Zito also pointed to the challenge of playing in Kpando, a ground he says has never been easy for Kotoko, but stressed that it was not an excuse.
“Kpando is always a very difficult place for Kotoko to come and play. But putting that aside, I had a plan to at least win this game. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way I wanted it to.”
Kotoko now sit fifth in the league with 35 points and will next face arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in a crucial Matchday 22 clash at the Baba Yara Stadium on February 15.
By: Pascal Amoah
