Former Asante Kotoko midfielder Yussif Chibsah has urged critics of Zdravko Lugarusic to exercise patience that the club is in good position to lift the Ghana Premier League trophy for the first time since 2014.

Lugarusic has come under pressure recently after a section of the supporters protested against his 3-5-2 formation, calling for his removal despite recording only one defeat from eight matches.

"Zdravko Lugarusic needs time to be able to achieve success. What he is trying now is to get the players to understand his 3-5-2 system," Chibsah told Abusua FM.

"The team is not scoring many goals but they will be perfect soon. A coach will only get problems when his players do not understand the type of system he wants to use and results are also bad.

"That brings headache most often but this time the team is rather winning even if the play is not entertaining.

"The supporters should remember that, as much as they want to watch entertaining football, the coach also has a task ahead of him. He has to win matches and trophies at the end of the season so they should allow him to use the system he is comfortable with."

He added: "I know Kotoko supporters very well. When the team plays entertaining football and lose, the coach will regret. They will call for his resignation or sacking. I am confident with the kind of players currently available, they will play better as the season progresses, if Lugarusic is spared the constant criticisms and offered support."

Kotoko will host Inter Allies on Sunday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as they seek to open a three point gap between them and Aduana Stars since the latter's game has been postponed due to Wa All Stars' participation in the Wafu tournament in Senegal.