Asante Kotoko trainer, CK Akonnor hailed Sunday’s 3-2 win over Coton Sport FC in the first leg of the 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup playoffs, saying that his boys executed the game “plan perfectly”.
Winger Emmanuel Gyamfi opened the scoring in the 10th minute by latching on a pass from Fatawu Safiu. Maxwell Baako doubled Kotoko’s lead in the 30th minute with a sublime finish, going past two opponents before slotting the ball.
Coton Sport pulled one back through their front man Daouda Kamilou through the spot.
However, after recess, Fatawu Safiu scored – his second in the competition – to restore the Porcupine Warriors’ two-goal advantage before Guema Araina capitalized on a defensive blunder to snatch his team’s second goal.
Akonnor, eulogized his players, noting that it was a difficult task.
“Look, you made it happen,” Akonnor is quoted by the Kotoko Express App as telling his players after the game.
“Yes, you did it, and I am very proud of you.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“Coton Sport are a great side, but we had a plan and I am so glad that my players carried through the plan perfectly,” he further told the portal.
The win, a rare one for Kotoko on the road in Africa, hands the Porcupines massive boost ahead of the second leg on January 20, at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. The aggregate winner qualifies for the group stage of the Confederation Cup.
By Daniel Osei
