CAFCC: “Inexperience caused Kotoko defeat to WAC” – Michael Akuffo

Asante Kotoko’s quest to start the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round on a blistering note was jolted by Wydad Athletic Club in the first leg last Sunday.

The Porcupine Warriors were stunned by Joseph Bakasu’s second half strike at the Accra Sports Stadium, making the reverse fixture a tall order this weekend in Casablanca.

Former midfielder of the club, Michael Akuffo has indicated that, lack of experience played against the two time Africa champions against Wydad in Accra.

Most Kotoko players are experiencing first Africa campaign

“Most of the guys it’s a learning thing for them, most of the guys they have not played in games like these, like playing a game in the Champions League or the Confederation Cup against a big club like Wydad,” Akuffo told Radio Gold.

“So sometimes if you are not careful you give too much respect to them [and] the first fifteen minutes Kotoko were on them, we had a couple of chances and we were not able to score.

“For them their game plan was to soak the pressure and then get us on the counter and then they had one and the goalkeeper was red carded and it made things very difficult.

Michael Akuffo has however expressed the belief that, Kotoko can pull a surprise in Casablanca in the second leg.

“I know it’s not over for us, it’s possible just that we have to go into the second leg with a winning mentality [and] it’s possible that Kotoko can go there and get a good result.

Ghanaian clubs have struggled against North African teams in the past years with reigning Ghana champions, Gold Stars suffering a 7-0 aggregate score line against JS Kabylie over two legs in this year’s CAF Champions League.