Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko hosted ES Setif, the first leg of CAF Confederation Cup playoff at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday. While Kotoko anticipated a win, the outcome turned out to be sour for the home side. The 2 - 1 loss to ES Setif may complicate Kotoko's chances but not over yet. 

The defeat is attributed to a gamut of reasons that did not go well in the course of the game. 

It must be stated however that, Asante Kotoko's players gave a good account of themselves in both halves, but that was not enough to run over a determined and resilient ES Setif side, who left no stone unturned to leave the shores of Ghana with goals. 

The line up of Kotoko was a good one based on the number of times same players have featured for the club this season. 

In the second half to be precise, players such as Emmanuel Sarkodie had no business staying on the field. The early part of second half was good for him to make way for another player to come.

Also, Fabio Gama, who had been the brightest spot in Asante Kotoko ought to have been deployed in a more attacking manner and a free role. Some of these decisions kept long and evasive in the game. 

Elsewhere, when Kotoko had the first goal, there was the need for a quick decision by way of substitution to be effected, in other to shield the goal. 

Again, Kotoko players should have shielded their lead, but decided to keep opening up play which ES Setif took advantage of that bad benefited profusely.

In all, they had the benefit of an early goal, but surrendered when they need not to. 

As reckoned, the first leg ended on a bad note for the home side, Kotoko but it does not take away the fact that, they can put themselves together and stage a comeback in the second leg in Algeria.

Followers of the game are aware of innumerable comebacks witnessed in a game. With those references, it is doable and possible for Asante Kotoko to make a strong case in North Africa.

Subsequent articles will look at how Asante Kotoko should approach the reverse fixture.

BY: ABDUL-JALILU 

Content created and supplied by: Abdul-Jalilu (via Opera News )