Asante Kotoko boss Abdul Karim Zito could barely hide his delight after his side ground out a gritty 1-0 triumph over rivals Hearts of Oak in Sunday’s heated Super Clash, a result that keeps the Porcupine Warriors roaring early in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign.
Kotoko marched into the Accra Sports Stadium with purpose and left with pride, thanks to Guinean forward Morifing Donzo, who struck the only goal of the afternoon and instantly carved his name into this season’s folklore. His composed finish proved enough to separate the two giants in a match where margins were razor-thin and tempers never far from the surface.
The #SuperClash decider; powered by 🇬🇳Morifing DONZO
Check sound 1-2-1-2!😆 pic.twitter.com/WelsxySHUo
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) November 9, 2025
Zito, reflecting on the win, admitted the clash lived up to its reputation as one of the league’s most demanding fixtures. Yet he insisted the ingredients that lifted his team weren’t complicated.
“Everybody knows Hearts and Kotoko — how difficult it is,” he said after full-time. “You saw the supporters today; everyone is happy. It was a tough match, but the mindset was there to win because we knew this victory would help us achieve our objective.”
For the veteran tactician, the victory spoke volumes about the group’s mentality. He credited his squad for embodying exactly what he’s been pushing behind the scenes.
“Hard work, dedication, and attitude did the magic for us,” he emphasized.
Zito didn’t miss the chance to address the club’s demanding fan base, calling for calm and sustained belief as his players continue to mould themselves into a title-chasing force.
“I plead with the fans to be patient with the players. We will be back in Africa soon,” he assured.
Kotoko’s win stretches their unbeaten run to six league games, and with three games in hand, they sit in a powerful position to launch a serious assault on the title and reclaim their place among the continent’s elite.
