Dreams FC manager Abdul Karim Zito has reacted to facing Malian giants Stade Malien de Bamako in the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederations Cup.
In the draw conducted on Tuesday at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, the Still Believe Boys were pitched against their neighbours from West Africa.
Following their group victory over Academica do Lobito, Rivers United, Club Africain, and the Ghanaian team, the Ghanaian team will play the first leg away before hosting the second game.
The tie’s first leg is slated to begin on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Bamako’s Stade Mars 26.
On Sunday, April 7, 2024, Dreams will play as the hosts in the second leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Reacting to the draw, Zito said, “It’s a team that has been in the system for a very long time. I remember I play them with King Faisal years back. Stade Malien are not a bad side, they are very good in Mali. I know the Malians are serious into serious academy issues which is paying off for them. Now, names don’t matter most in football, if it were to big names, then Dreams FC wouldn’t be here” he said.
The ‘Still Believe’ outfit is the first Ghanaian club to reach the knockout round of CAF inter-club competitions in two decades.
Stade Malien won the competition in 2009.