By Issah Olegor
Asante Kotoko’s head coach, Abdul Karim Zito, has fired a rallying call to his players ahead of their crucial CAF Confederation Cup showdown with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, insisting that this is their defining moment to prove themselves on the continental stage.
Kotoko will host the first leg of the second preliminary round at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, before travelling to Morocco for the return fixture a week later.
The winner over the two legs will advance to the lucrative group stage — a milestone Zito describes as the club’s minimum target for the competition.
“We are definitely ready. We are going to wrap up tomorrow,” Zito said confidently in an interview with Joy Sports. “We’ve studied the opponent and practiced how I want the team to play on Sunday. I think we are all ready.”
Kotoko’s Resurgence Under Zito
The Porcupine Warriors have enjoyed a remarkable run under the veteran coach, having dispatched Nigeria’s Kwara United in the previous round with a 4–3 win in Ghana and a 1–0 victory in Abeokuta.
The results restored belief in the team’s potential after a turbulent 2024/2025 season that saw changes in management and inconsistent performances in the domestic league.
For Zito, a former national youth coach and one of Ghana’s most experienced tacticians, the match against Wydad represents both a tactical and psychological test.
The Moroccan side, three-time African champions, are one of the continent’s most formidable clubs — and beating them would send a strong message that Kotoko is reclaiming its place among Africa’s elite.
“If we beat Wydad in Accra, it means I have another game to play in Morocco, and I have to plan well so that we don’t concede over there, just like we did against Kwara,” Zito said. “Our target is simple — qualify for the group stage. Wydad is the last hurdle, and we must cross it.”
‘You Will Not See Africa Until You Are in Africa’
Zito’s motivational message to his players has resonated widely among fans. “It’s very, very important to win in Accra,” he said.
“I told them, you will not see Africa until you are in Africa.” He used the example of Dreams FC, who reached the semi-final of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup — an achievement that saw many of their players secure big transfers abroad.
“This is their chance to exhibit their talent,” he continued. “When you perform well on the continental stage, people take notice. This is where you prove you belong to Africa’s best.”
A Battle of Legacy and Ambition
Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s continental ambitions have been rekindled in recent years, but the club has struggled to make a deep run in CAF competitions since their last group stage appearance in 2019.
The Ghanaian giants, two-time African champions, are aiming to return to the heights of the 1980s when they dominated African football.
For Zito, Sunday’s encounter is more than a football match — it’s a statement of intent. His mix of experienced players and youthful talents has brought fresh energy to the squad, and a win at home could set the tone for one of the club’s most significant continental campaigns in recent memory.
The game kicks off at 15:00 GMT at the Accra Sports Stadium, with thousands of passionate Kotoko fans expected to fill the stands, hoping to witness a performance worthy of the club’s proud history.
