Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito says replicating the fairytale run he achieved with Dreams FC in the CAF Confederation Cup will require more than tactics—it demands unity, discipline, and collective belief.

Zito, who guided Dreams FC to the knockout stages of the competition in April 2024, becoming the first Ghanaian club in 20 years to do so, is now tasked with leading Kotoko back to continental relevance. The Porcupine Warriors last reached the knockout round in 2004, when they lost the final to archrivals Hearts of Oak.

Kotoko hold a narrow 4–3 advantage over Nigeria’s Kwara United after a thrilling first-leg win in Accra. The return fixture is set for Sunday, September 28 in Ilorin, where Zito’s men must defend their lead to advance.

Victory would set up a second preliminary round clash with Wydad Casablanca, one of Africa’s most formidable clubs.

Speaking to Luv FM, Zito emphasized the intangible factors that fueled Dreams FC’s success:

“We were all on board. Everybody was giving their best. Players were disciplined, were united—from the board down to the ball boy.”

“I'm trying to bring that factor here. Everything that achieves will tell you at the end of the day, we're united. We have to unite, listen to instructions, do what we're supposed to do—and then we'll do the best. It will be okay.” He added.

With the Ghana Premier League season underway and continental fixtures piling up, Zito’s challenge is to instill the same spirit that turned Dreams FC into continental contenders. For Kotoko, a return to the CAF knockout rounds would mark a major milestone in their rebuilding process.