The second leg of the CAF Confederations Cup will come off on Sunday 20th of January at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi.

Asante Kotoko coach CK Akonnor ‘proud’ of his players after crucial win

“The players proved against Coton Sport that they have what it takes to achieve success. But the tie is not over so our next target is to complete a double over them and this demands sacrifice,” Akunnor said.

“We’ve done one part of the job here and need to finish them in Kumasi next weekend. I’ve advised the players to celebrate the win now because we have a lot of work to do in Ghana.

“We have to guide against complacency because once we were able to win in front of their fans, anything is possible in Kumasi.

“Coton Sport is a great side and the fact that we came and won doesn’t mean they will allow us to have it easy in the return leg. The win didn’t come easy and a section of the supporters have been complaining about how we play but I believe they can smile a little now,” he added.

Asante Kotoko gave their CAF Confederation Cup group stage a huge boost with a crucial 3-2 win over Coton Sport in Yaounde on Sunday in the first leg encounter of the playoff round.

Coton Sport arrive in Kumasi next week for the second leg tie, and management has urged all supporters and sympathisers to paint the city red ahead of time.

The George Amoako-led management wants Coton Sports to meet a sea of red in the principal streets of Kumasi and has, as a result, declared this week a ‘Red Week’.

“We are known out there as a big club with a huge support base that wears red to the stadium whenever the team plays.”

“Our team identifies with the red colour and we want the fans to create that charged atmosphere to prove the true identity and clout of Asante Kotoko when they arrive.”

“We want all our supporters and sympathisers to wear red attires throughout this week until the end of the game on Sunday.” he said. “Let’s get our red flags, bandanas, scarfs, ribbons, bungles, wristbands, earrings, spectacles and all the red adornments out.”

“Let’s give them an idea of what they are up against even before we face them at Baba Yara Stadium,” he added.

Asante Kotoko dominated the game in the opening stages of the game and their early pressure paid off when Abdul dribbled past the Sharks defence to give Kotoko the lead.

https://youtu.be/x19thac2rzM

Kotoko continued to dominate the game until Kariobangi equalized from a thunderbolt shot through Katila Omoto.

Asante Kotoko coach CK Akonnor says he is satisfied with draw against Kariobangi

Kotoko scored the winning goal as Amos Frimpong scored from the spot after Yacouba was brought down in the box.

Asante Kotoko were criticized heavily for playing defensively against Kariobangi Sharks in Kenya. Head coach CK Akonnor already defended his side claiming it was all in the plan and he is satisfied with the performance his side put out at the Kasarani Stadium.

Asante Kotoko coach CK Akonnor says he is satisfied with draw against Kariobangi

George Amoako is confident Kotoko will finish the job when Kariobangi Sharks travel to Kumasi for the second leg.

“We knew what we wanted going into the game and we have done that perfectly right,” George Amoako said after the game.

“We told ourselves we shouldn’t lose but if there is any chance for us to win it we take it. But we went into it not to take any goals.”

“We needed to conserve energy to maintain a respectable scoreline and that is exactly what we did. If we had opened up we could have scored them many goals. Look how many tines did they even threaten our goalkeeper.”

“Kumasi people should expect us. We are coming to finish them at home,” he concluded.