Coach Schmidt entertains no fear in Africa

Accra, June 9, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko's coach Hans-Dieter Schmidt entertains no fear in the club's clash against old foes, Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) of Morocco in their final eliminator to the money zone of the newly created Confederations Cup championship. Kotoko play host to their Moroccans guest on Sunday July 11, aiming to rewrite the script after the visitors pushed a bitter pill down their throat in front of their vociferous Kumasi fans to annex the Africa Cup Winners' Cup competition in 2002.

Coach Schmidt told the GNA Sports that the club was hopeful of avenging for the first defeat when the two sides lock horns at the Kumasi "fast track stadium".

Though he reckons that the Moroccans have a psychological advantage based on their first victory in Kumasi, he said the defending league champions would put the necessary mechanism in place to ensure qualification.

"We will work on everything to guarantee our victory this time around because we simply cannot disappoint the supporters again", the coach said.

The German said the current calibre of players in camp have a huge task of tilting the pendulum in their favour, which he believes is possible.

"We have loads of quality players who can ascend to the occasion any day with the right preparations, approach and a little bit of luck", coach Schmidt told the GNA Sports.

He said he would have preferred playing the first leg away from home "because it affords one the opportunity to study the opponent and to device better strategy for a great home game".

"You always get the chance to study the other team and punch holes in their weakness as you stay under less pressure and rely on the massive home support to execute the kill", he added. The return leg for the fierce encounter has been fixed for July 23 in Morocco.

Kotoko and their local rivals Hearts of Oak were both kicked out of this year's CAF Champion's League vie penalties but joins Liberty Professionals in the new competition at the final elimination stage in accordance with CAF's own system.

Hearts will also engage former 'enemies' AS Douanes of Senegal.