CAFCC: “Kotoko is under pressure to beat Kwara United” – Samba O’Neil

Asante Kotoko defender Samba O’Niel has admitted that there is mounting pressure to beat Kwara United in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The record Ghana Premier League holders will host the Nigerian outfit in the preliminary round at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, September 21 with the reverse fixture set for Ilorin a week later.

Counting down to Sunday @CAFCLCC

Let’s gather and support our warriors to victory. #KOTOKO90 #AKSC #Fabucensus #Kotoko4All pic.twitter.com/yn9ASMRgua

— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) September 17, 2025

Most of the Kotoko players will be tasting their first ever continental competition and Samba O’Niel knows the challenge and pressure that confronts the two time African champions.

‘Pressure will always be there’

“My mentality as you know, I am always ready and it’s another opportunity for me to make things different. We are confident and we are training very hard for this opportunity and we know most of us it’s our first time to play in this kind of competition so we have to go all out to make a name,” Samba O’Niel told Kotoko media.

“When you play for a big club like Kotoko you have to know that everything you do, they will expect you to win so whether you play well or bad you have to win.

“So the pressure will always be there so we always need to win to make them happy so that’s all.”

Asante Kotoko, who won last season’s FA Cup walk into Africa with a good post Ghana Premier League record, winning the President’s Cup and the Toyota Cup against Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.