The Nigerian club arrived at the Kotoka Airport on Friday morning and was welcomed by representatives from Asante Kotoko.

They’ll continue their journey to Kumasi today as they’ll be looking to continue preparations ahead of the crucial game.

https://twitter.com/AsanteKotoko_SC/status/1164845963015589888

Kano Pillars defeated Asante Kotoko 3-2 in Nigeria when both teams clashed in the first leg.

The post Kano Pillars arrive in Ghana ahead of Kotoko clash first appeared on Sahara Football.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Asante Kotoko, George Amoako says the 3-2 loss to Kano Pillars has given the Porcupines the advantage to progress in the Champions League.

He, however, warns that complacency could be our undoing hence the resolve to eliminate that at all cost.

George Amoako told Kotoko Express App that, the club would do everything possible to throw Kano Pillars out of the competition when the second leg is played in Kumasi on August 25.

“It is a very good scoreline,” said the CEO, who led the Kotoko delegation to the Northern Nigerian state. “Playing in Kano, scoring two away goals and losing 3-2, puts us in a pole position to qualify, but we don’t need to be complacent” he cautioned.

“[We] certainly wouldn’t be because they are a good side, very aggressive, very strong and we need to work at it to get the results. I am talking about qualification. We would do everything possible to ensure just that. With this scoreline away; difference one with two away goals, qualification is more likely” he assured.

“We have to be able to swim with it. We are fully aware that situations like this could cause some complacency, but the assurance is that we wouldn’t give that any chance. We are focused and going to treat the second leg like the score was goalless” he stressed.

The 16, 000 capacity Sani Abacha Stadium was filled to the rafters. The venue was electrified by the loud cheers and jeers from the stands, a scene that George Amoako believes Kotoko supporters must replicate in the return encounter.

“They cheered their team to get those two quick goals,” he said. “We would have to get the same kind of atmosphere. We are even expecting a more charged atmosphere because we have more supporters. This is just a 16, 000 capacity stadium, Kumasi is 40,000 plus and we expect that the supporters would be there to ensure our victory and qualification.”



source: Kotoko Express App

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Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan is confident that his team will beat Kano Pillars in the second leg of the CAF Champions preliminary stage in Kumasi.

The Porcupines suffered a 3-2 defeat in Nigeria at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

After the game, Asante Kotoko captain Felix Annan stated that he is confident that Kotoko will beat Kano Pillars in Kumasi.

The post We will beat Kano Pillars in Kumasi – Felix Annan first appeared on Sahara Football.

Asante Kotoko will begin preparations for crucial second leg game of the CAF Champions League preliminary stages against Kano Pillars after suffering a 3-2 defeat in the first.

The Porcupines arrived in Ghana on Sunday after leaving Nigeria hours after their game at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State.

Asante Kotoko announced that the team will have a day rest and resume training ahead of the second leg.

Kano Pillars will fly to Ghana to play Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium on 27th of August.

The post Asante Kotoko to resume training on Tuesday first appeared on Sahara Football.

Asante Kotoko suffered defeat at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State, Nigeria against Kano Pillars who registered a 3-2 victory in the first leg of the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League.

Kano Pillars took the lead in the 11th minute through Rahaqqu Yusuf who fired past Felix Annan to give his side the lead.

Asante Kotoko struggled to get back in the game but were unlucky as the first half finished with the home team in front.

Justice Blay leveled the scoreline in the 54th minute after heading home from close range.

Godfred Asiahmah doubled the lead for the Porcupines a few minutes later through a great free-kick as the Porcupines find themselves in front for the first time in the game.

Kano Pillars responded three minutes later through Victor Dennis who restored parity with a great finish.

Nyima Nekebari scored the winning goal for Kano Pillars to seal their first-leg victory at the Sani Abacha stadium.

Kano Pillars will travel to Kumasi for the second leg of the game.

The post CAF CL: Kano Pillars edge Asante Kotoko in five-goal thriller first appeared on Sahara Football.

The post WATCH LIVE STREAM: Kano Pillars vs Asante Kotoko first appeared on Sahara Football.

Asante Kotoko coach Kjetil Zachariassen has named his starting lineup for the first leg of the CAF Champions League game against Kano Pillars of Nigeria.

George Abege and Richard Arthur lead the striking force for the Porcupines while Habib Mohammed will Partner with Empem Dacoster in the defence.

Full Starting lineup:

Felix Annan, Empem Dacoster, Evans Owusu, Habib Mohamed, Ayiku Tetteh, Justice Blay, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Samuel Frimpong, George Abege, Richard Arthur and Kelvin Andoh.

The post Asante Kotoko starting lineup against Kano Pillars first appeared on Sahara Football.

Asante Kotoko coach Kjetil Zachariassen has named a 23-man squad for their CAF Champions League first leg clash against Nigerian side Kano Pillars.

The squad will leave Kumasi for Accra on Monday before continuing their journey to Nigeria in midweek.

However, conspicuously missing from the squad are key attackers Sogne Yacouba and Fatawu Safiu.

Safiu was expected to be in the team that will leave for Kano after his trials with Swedish side Helsingborg was truncated because of the amount involved.

Meanwhile, Burkinabe forward Sogne Yacouba is reported to be unfit for the game due to injuries.

The Porcupine Warriors will camp in Accra before departing to Kano on Thursday for the game on August 10.

The two team will then face off again in two weeks time in Kumasi.

Below is the squad travelling to Accra

Goalkeepers: Felix Annan, Kwame Baah, Osei Kwame

 Defenders: Samuel Frimpong, Empem Dacosta, Augustine Sefah, Evans Owusu, Patrick Yeboah, Stephen Ayiku Tetteh, Habib Mohammed, Wahab Adams, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu

Midfielders: Alexis Didi, Justice Blay, Jordan Opoku, Kelvin Andoh, Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Godfred Asiamah, Martin Antwi

Strikers: George Abege, Richard Arthur & Naby  Keita

source: Ghanasoccernet

The post Full Asante Kotoko squad travelling to Accra ahead of Kano Pillars game first appeared on Sahara Football.

The Kano State Football Association says it has suspended all local competition matches at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, just two weeks before Kano Pillars home match against Asante Kotoko.

Shehu Buhari, the association’s Secretary, disclosed in a statement on Friday in Kano that the decision was made during the association board’s meeting.‎

‎ He said the suspension was necessary considering that Kano Pillars Football Club would play their home matches in the 2019/2020 African Champions League at the stadium.

“The association, in this wise, wants to appeal to the Kano State Government to put more efforts into renovating the stadium to meet the CAF standard before the competition begins.”

Asante Kotoko are to fly to Nigeria to face Kano Pillars in the Champion League preliminary stages.



credit: Daily Trust, Nigeria

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Asante Kotoko have begun a residential campaign as preparations for the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League preliminary round coming up next month.

The porcupines have been drawn against Kano Pillars of Nigeria in a two-leg elimination tie that would see Kotoko play away first on the 10th of August.

The club’s team manager revealed that 26 players will camp at the Sports Hotel in Kumasi until the team departs to Nigeria for the CAF Champions League preliminary first-leg match against Kano Pillars.

Asante Kotoko are yet to release their official squad for the CAF Champions League.

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