Asante Kotoko have arrived back in Ghana following their 5-1 loss to Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, which sealed a 6-1 aggregate exit from the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Porcupine Warriors faced a daunting task in the second leg in Casablanca after losing 1-0 at home in Accra, but hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed as Wydad dominated from start to finish.
Kotoko’s captain, Samba O’Neil, briefly levelled the score in the first half to make it 1-1 on the night, but defensive lapses and Wydad’s clinical finishing saw the hosts run riot with four more goals to complete a commanding victory.
The result ended Kotoko’s continental campaign at the preliminary stage, bringing disappointment to their fans who had hoped for a deep run in Africa’s second-tier competition.
Upon their return to Kumasi, the players and technical team were met with a mix of disappointment and encouragement from supporters urging them to regroup and focus on the domestic season.
Head coach Abdul Karim Zito is now expected to turn his attention to the Ghana Premier League and FA Cup, with club captain O’Neil pledging to “win silverware to make up for the fans’ pain.”
The Porcupine Warriors will resume training later this week ahead of their next league fixture as they seek to restore pride after their early continental exit.
