Nigeria Leagues
CAF CC: Abdulkarim Zito happy with Dream FC qualification despite Rivers United defeat
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
The coach of the Ghanaian side, Dreams FC Abdulkarim Zito congratulated Rivers United.
The Nigerian side secured a place in the quarter-final of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-1 win over the Ghanaians on Sunday.
The win ensured that both teams made it to the last eight at the expense of Tunisian side, Club Africain.
Despite the loss, Zito was pleased with his team’s progress to the quarter final which he referred to as the most important thing.
“I am not worried because I came here with three options,” Zito told journalists after the match on Sunday.
“I know if they beat me 2-1, I am having 11 goals. That is where the goals will matter.
“I came here either to win, to lose maybe 1-0 or 2-1 and then to draw to qualify. The bottom line is for me to qualify. Since I have qualified, I am okay.
“The bottom line is to qualify and I have qualified. Whether I am beaten 10-0 or 20-0, I have qualified. Even topping the table. I am happy.”
The former winner of the title as a player is proud of his team’s progress despite the young talents in the squad.
“They are young boys I took from the second division,” he continued. “The only experienced player is the captain. He has played for Al Ahly before. I used my experience as a coach and ex-player.
“I have won the cup before when it was the other way round. Seriously, we are very happy.”
