Asante Kotoko Head Coach Karim Zito has declared that the club’s main ambition in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup is to reach the group stages, even as they prepare for a stern test against Moroccan heavyweights Wydad AC.
Speaking on Akoma 87.9 FM, Zito reaffirmed his belief in the team’s ability to go far despite acknowledging the difficulty of the task.
“Our target is to qualify for the group stages. In football, nothing is impossible, even though it will be difficult,” the Porcupine Warriors’ boss noted.
For now, Zito is keeping his attention on domestic duties with Kotoko set to face Heart of Lions in the Ghana Premier League before turning focus to Wydad.
“I’m not thinking about WAC at the moment; my focus is on Heart of Lions,” he said.
The coach also expressed his desire for the decisive clash to be played in Kumasi, where Kotoko traditionally command massive fan support.
“I would prefer that we play Wydad AC in Kumasi, but if it ends up in Accra, we’re fine with it.”
Zito used the opportunity to rally fans, urging them to fill the stands in their numbers whenever Kotoko take to the field.
“I will call on the fans to always come in their numbers and support us. When they are huge, it gives us so much confidence.”
Kotoko boast one of the most decorated histories in Ghanaian and African football.
The Kumasi-based giants have won the CAF Champions Cup (now Champions League) twice, in 1970 and 1983, while also reaching the finals on five other occasions.
In recent years, however, continental success has eluded the Porcupine Warriors, with their last group stage appearance coming in the 2018/19 Confederation Cup, which saw them advance to the knockout phase before bowing out.
Now, with Wydad AC, a three-time CAF Champions League winner and one of North Africa’s strongest sides, standing in their way, Kotoko face a defining moment as they seek to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite.
By Emmanuel Owusu|Akoma Sports|Onuaonline.com|Ghana
