CAF Confederation Cup: It’s make or break for Kotoko ahead of Zesco clash

Asante Kotoko will be the first Ghanaian club to reach the quarter-finals of any Africa Club competition for the first time in a decade if they are able to beat Zesco United.

Ghanaian clubs such as Medeama, Aduana Stars, Berekum Chelsea who have represented the country in both the Champions League and Confederation Cup have all failed to make it pass the group stages over the years and history beckons for Kotoko should they make it pass this stage.

Kotoko have their work cut out for them if they intend to progress to the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Porcupine Warriors will have to win their final group game against ZESCO United on Sunday March 17, 2019 in Zambia to seal qualification after blowing up the chance to do so in their penultimate game against Al Hilal in Kumasi last Sunday.

The Porcupine Warriors would have qualified from the group if they had beaten Al Hilal in last Sunday’s game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Instead, the Sudanese club held the Porcupine Warriors to a pulsating 1-1 draw.

Asante Kotoko now have to beat ZESCO United in their final group game to secure qualification.

Assistant head coach of the team Akakpo Patron is very optimistic his side will come out victorious against ZESCO United, “We will take the scoreline in good faith. Our destiny is now in our own hands so we must motivate the guys before going to Zambia to secure a win there”, he told Happy FM.

“Zesco United can’t qualify so we must go there and beat them to qualify. It is a must win for us and we will win. Beating them is possible”, he added.

Deputy captain of the team Felix Annan believes a miracle could happen in their final game against ZESCO United and he is urging the supporters not to give up.

“Disappointed but not down! Not the results we wanted! Difficult game Hilal gave us! The hope is still alive! It’s not over until it’s over, fans were massive again”, he indicated on his twitter handle.

Players such as Wahab Adams, Muntari Tagoe, Amos Frimpong and former Assistant coach of Hearts of Oak Yaw Preko believe the team can pick a win in Sunday's game to secure qualification.

A win for Kotoko will make them the first Ghanaian club to qualify for the quarter-finals of any Africa Club competition in the last decade.

Nkana FC is at the summit of the table with nine points, followed by Al Hilal with seven points, Asante Kotoko with seven points and ZESCO United at the bottom with four points.

Asante Kotoko will hold their last training session later today at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Kick off is at 4pm