Asante Kotoko head coach Abdul Karim Zito has lauded Kaizer Chiefs for their impressive performance, despite his side clinching the Toyota Cup in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a goalless draw.
While the Ghanaian Premier League team emerged victorious in the preseason friendly, Zito openly admitted that luck played a significant role in their triumph. Amakhosi dictated much of the game, showcasing a technical prowess that clearly impressed the Kotoko boss.
Read: Penalty shootout heartbreak for Amakhosi in Toyota Cup
Speaking to SABC Sport after the match, the former Dreams FC mentor expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, particularly from his team’s perspective.
“When it comes to winning, at the end of the day, I’m satisfied with my boys,” Zito stated. “But tactically, I’m also satisfied, because I know this process, with the new players, I didn’t get what I wanted, but at least certain responsibilities [they got right].”
Zito revealed his game plan, which prioritized defensive solidity against a more cohesive Chiefs side.
“I was looking at it, for them to do it and at the end of the day I knew we’d win by one or it goes to a draw, we didn’t attack too much but defensively we were ready.
I don’t have to match them, they were ahead in terms of preparation [in pre-season] in terms of cohesion, they are ahead of us.”
Despite the win, Zito was effusive in his praise for Kaizer Chiefs. He explained that South African teams, including Chiefs, possess a unique playing style that sets them apart from many other African sides.
“I have to be honest, seriously, South Africans play like Europeans, not like the other countries [in Africa], they don’t chase you, they let you chase them.
I know it, because I have studied this when I went to Europe, I’m in development, professionally.”
Zito concluded by reiterating the element of fortune in his team’s victory. “So Chiefs didn’t play badly, but the luck was on our side at the end of the day, the element of luck wasn’t there for them, we were lucky to win.
But everyone wants to be lucky – I’m very happy, because tactically we worked on our plan and it worked.”