When Asante Kotoko and Wydad Casablanca
play again in the
CAF Confederation Cup return leg, coach Abdul Karim Zito has maintained
unflinching faith that his squad can recover and overcome their tight loss.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, the Porcupine Warriors lost the
first leg 1-0. Joseph Bakasu of Wydad scored the game-winning goal in the
second half. Zito maintains that his team is prepared to fight for redemption
in Morocco and that the fight is far from over despite the loss.
Zito acknowledged to the media following the game that the
defeat was disappointing, particularly in light of Kotoko's excellent
preparation and home field advantage. But instead of focusing on the bad, he
chose to inspire hope in his players and supporters.
“If someone had told me I would lose to Wydad, I would have
said no,” Zito said. “This is football; sometimes, things happen beyond your
control. Some mistakes affected us, but it’s not all over. Anything can happen
when we go there. We’re not going as losers; we’re going to fight and play
well.”
Zito used Kotoko's thrilling victory over Kwara United in
the previous round to remind fans that the team has already shown that they are
capable of producing challenging outcomes away from home.
“Nobody gave us a chance when we went to Kwara, but we did
it. So it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added confidently.
The ardent Kotoko supporters were also urged by the seasoned
coach to maintain composure and keep cheering the team on as they get ready for
the important trip to Morocco. He thinks that their support will be crucial in
boosting the players' morale before the second leg.
“It’s two games. We’ve lost the first one, but they can also
lose at their home. Some situations in football are not impossible. The fans
should be patient and wait for what happens in Morocco,” Zito emphasized.
With Wydad Casablanca's impressive home record and
continental experience, Kotoko will have a difficult challenge in the rematch.
Zito and his troops, however, are resolved to overcome the odds once more. To
increase their chances of scoring, the coach is supposed to make tactical
changes, concentrating on strengthening the defense and enhancing their
attacking transitions.
With the dreams of millions of Ghanaian football supporters
who believe in the team's tenacity, Asante Kotoko will go to Morocco this
weekend for the pivotal match.
Kotoko's CAF Confederation Cup campaign is far from finished
thanks to Zito's assurance and the players' tenacity. The Porcupine Warriors
want to maintain their African aspirations while making a strong impression in
Morocco.
Source: https://ghanasoccernet.com/
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