A contingent of 18 players and five oficials of the Kumasi Asante Kotoko football club returned home last night fron Casablanca, Morocco after losing nil to their Moroccan counterparts, Wyda in the first-leg of the finals of the African Cup Winners Cup.

The delegation was led by Colonel George Patington, a Board member of Kotoko and the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association, Mr Ben Cofie.

Col. Patington told the GNA Sports that he was impressed with the performance of the team, adding that the players were determined and committed throughout the game.

He admitted that it was a tough match and the one-zero scoreline was not a true reflection of the game.

He said the Chief Executive of Kotoko, Mr Herbert Mensah realising the weather condition prevailing in Morroco had to order 18 metal stud boots from Germany which arrived four hours before the match and this helped the players to play on the soggy pitch.

Col. Patington said Kotoko will win the second in Kumasi, adding that the team would resume training on Friday.

Asked about the where-abouts of Kotoko's coach, Ralph Zumdich who was not with the team when they arrived, he said the coach went to Germany to see to some personal problems and also work out some sponsorship deals for the club. He is expected back by the weekend.

Mr Ben Cofie said the players of Kotoko played a determined game and were disciplined and expressed the hope that the team would win the second leg match in Kumasi based on what he saw on Friday.

He said the Moroccans pressurised Kotoko in the second half "but the boys stood firm and countered back with attacking play despite the pressure on them".

Mr Cofie said he took the opportunity to watch the match between Raja and Asec of Ivory Coast which Raja won by four goals to nil.

He said unlike Kotoko when the pressure was on Asec they resorted to defensive play which caused them dearly.

Kotoko's defender Aziz Ansah was also optimistic about victory in the second encounter and urged the supporters to pray for the team. He said the pitch was very bad but acknowledged that it affected both teams.

Ansah said he could not predict the scoreline for the second match but that Kotoko will lift the Cup come December eight.

The team was met on arrival by the General Secretary of the GFA, Mr Kofi Nsiah and the Vice Chairman Mr E.A. Owusu-Ansah. Also at the airport were a large number of loyal supporters of the team who drummed and cheered them.