CAF Champions League: Akonnor tips Kotoko to beat Kano Pillars

Former Black Stars captain and coach of Asante Kotoko, C.K Akonnor says the Porcupine Warriors have everything at their disposal to beat Nigerian side Kano Pillars when the two clubs face-off in the second leg of their preliminary stage encounter this weekend.

According to Akonnor who was in charge of Kotoko’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign last year, qualification is in ‘their hands’.

Speaking on Joy News’ The Pulse programme, Akonnor says it will be shocking if Kotoko fail to progress after recording a decent result in the first leg played a fortnight ago in Nigeria.

“They did well in the first leg, two goals at this stage and in this competition is gold. A 1-0 win on Sunday will even be good for them to progress and I honestly think they have a better chance of going through.”

Kotoko enter Sunday’s game on the back of a 2-3 defeat in the first leg, but there is optimism that the Porcupine Warriors can overturn the 1 goal deficit to eliminate the Nigerian side.

Meanwhile, Head coach of Kano Pillars Ibrahim Musah has hinted that his outfit will go for the kill as they make their way to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking on Kumasi FM 104.1 he said, “We respect Asante Kotoko very well but we are preparing massively to come Ghana and beat them on Sunday because my team is doing well and I trust them. I will come to Ghana and play good football to qualify”

He added that they are working to correct the defensive blunders they committed against Kotoko at the Saani Abachi Sports Stadium in Nigeria.

“We conceded two set-piece goals against Kotoko and we are working on them before we come to Ghana.”

Coach Ibrahim Musah also said the team will arrive in Ghana either on Thursday or Friday.