Former Asante Kotoko and Ghana international defender Issah Ahmed has backed his former club to make history in Africa this year after reaching the group stages of the Confederation Cup on Sunday.

But Ahmed was quick to add that the players must be specially motivated to win the ultimate.

The Porcupine Warriors lost the final with Ahmed in action after clashing with bitterest rivals Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium in 2005.

And the former defensive pillar believes this could be the time for the Reds to lay hands on the trophy.

“This crop of players needs to be motivated so that they can go far. If you look at what they have achieve so far, it is fantastic” Issah Ahmed told Silver FM on Wednesday.

“You’ve got to motivate them . This is the time to do that. Maybe this could be the year to win it (Confederation Cup).

“I can well see them making another history.

“When I talk about motivation I mean fans trooping to the stadium to watch the games. Those days when I come to the stadium to play and I see big crowd, that is enough motivation for me.”

Asante Kotoko have not won any continental title since the 1983 CAF African Cup of Champions clubs success.