Ghana Premier League: Kotoko coach Karim Zito upbeat ahead of Berekum Chelsea test

Head coach of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Karim Zito has urged the club’s fans to remain patient ahead of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.

The experienced coach is putting together a team for next season’s domestic and continental campaign after a series of friendly games that tested the club’s mettle.

The Porcupine Warriors, who won last season’s FA Cup, have been paired against Nigeria outfit Kwara United for the preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup and coach Zito stresses the need to build a formidable squad for the campaign.

“I think the only problem we had was after the season we didn’t have the opportunity to rest. We played the FA Cup immediately we finished, we attacked the Presidential Cup, immediately we finished we traveled outside to play Kaizer Chiefs,” he told AKSC Media.

“So when we came back it was the stage for us to do the preseason instead of us to rest. We couldn’t rest enough then we started. We were also in the first phase of the preseason when the Top Four also came so I have adjusted the way we go in and then we came to the Top Four.

“In terms of creativity it was nice but the play wasn’t good because I know the way we came in the Top Four there is no way we can gel but then at the end of the day we could even a goal. I was not down because I know definitely this is what is going to happen to the team but we came back and gathered momentum and we went for the champion of champions then we won.

“It takes time for them to gel and then the level of intelligence is not the same even the Europeans will tell you it takes time some will tell you it will take you a season before the team will gel the way you want it,” he told AKSC Media.

“But there is nothing we can do. We have to fight it and fight hard, and then adjust our thinking, adjust our attitude towards the league and then the confederation cup.”

The record Ghana Premier League holders walk into next season’s football campaign with an impressive record from the last campaign – winning the FA Cup, the President’s Cup and the Toyota Cup against Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Their performance in the 2025 GHALCA Top Four was however unimpressive where they failed to win a game in three outings, finishing bottom after the entire proceedings.

Kotoko will begin their 2025/26 league season against Berekum Chelsea on Saturday, September 13.

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