CAF CC Preview:ES Setif vs Asante Kotoko, Porcupine Warriors attempt to do the Algerian job against the Black Eagles

Asante Kotoko have embarked on a trip to Algeria where they face ES Setif in a second leg encounter of the CAF Confederation Cup last qualifying round.

The Porcupine Warriors have a tough task at hand as they have to overturn a 2-1 defeat suffered in the first leg on home soil.

Setif climbed back from a goal down to win against the Ghanaian side levaing them with a tall mountain to climb.

To make things more difficult, Kotoko will have to do this on Algerian soil, something they are yet to do in their rich history.

Asante Kotoko’s quest for qualification has also not been helped by shoddy preparations.

The Ghanaian side only left for Algeria on Saturday morning, meaning they will have little time to settle in the North African country and prepare for the task ahead.

This development came about due to internal wrangling between the club’s board and the management.

Certainly, these off-the-pitch occurrences have the tendency to impact negatively on performance and is likely to affect Kotoko.

However, Coaches Abdulai Gazale and Johnson Smith will look to select the best out of a 22 man squad to start the game when it finally kicks off at 5pm GMT on Sunday.

High flying striker Kwame Opoku who netted in the first leg is on course for a starting role alongside Brazilian playmaker Fabio Gama.

It remains to be seen if they will be any changes in the starting eleven that started in the first leg but what’s certain is that there will be an alteration of approach by Kotoko’s technical handlers.

Check Asante Kotoko’s 22 man squad for the Algerian job below.

GAME INFO

CAF Confederation Cup
ES Setif vs Asante Kotoko
Date: 21/02/2021
Kick-Off: 17:00 GMT
Venue: Stade du 8 Mai 1945 (Stif (Sétif))

PRE-GAME FACTS

Asante Kotoko have lost their last 6 away games in CAF Inter Club competitions

The Porcupine Warriors last won away in Africa on 13th January 2019 when they beat CotonSport Garoua (Cameroon) by 3-2.

Asante Kotoko’s last visit to Algeria saw them draw goalless against MC El Eulma.

ES Setif have lost just one of their last 13 home games in the CAF Confederation Cup.

They are currently on an 8 game unbeaten run at home in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The last time the Black Eagles conceded more than one goal at home was on April 2019, against JSM Bejaia in the league.