Asante Kotoko coach, Karim Zito, has expressed strong confidence ahead of Sunday’s Super Clash, declaring that his side is fully prepared to defeat Hearts of Oak in Accra.
The Porcupine Warriors will travel to the Accra Sports Stadium for the Matchday 9 encounter, with both teams yet to suffer a defeat in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.
Beyond the long-standing rivalry, the fixture promises added excitement as it brings together Zito and his former colleague and friend, Hearts coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
Reflecting on their shared history, Zito recalled their successful period at Kotoko, where Dramani managed the senior team while he handled the youth side.
“I’ve worked with him before when he was at Kotoko. I was with the U20s and he was with the senior side,” Zito said.
“The telepathy between us worked well; we won the Premier Division twice and the U20 twice. That tells you how in sync we were.”
Zito commended Dramani for his performance since taking charge of Hearts but stressed that their friendship would take a back seat once the match begins.
“Beyond Hearts and Kotoko, we’re brothers. We talk a lot and he’s doing very well with Hearts of Oak,” he noted.
“We’ve played twice — I won the President’s Cup and he won the GHALCA Top 4 — so this third one is to prove a point. I said earlier that the timing of that GHALCA Top 4 wasn’t good for Kotoko, and now I feel vindicated.”
With both coaches tied at one win apiece in recent encounters, Zito made clear his determination to come out on top.
“Automatically, we are going there with the mindset of beating him at the end of the day,” he declared.
Kick-off for the much-anticipated clash is scheduled for 16:00 GMT on Sunday.
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