Asante Kotoko coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has refused to blame the current football situation in the country for his side's CAF Confederation Cup exit at the group stage. 

The Porcupine Warriors took the decision to go to Africa despite the absence of football, with all competitions suspended after the Anas expose in June. 

Kotoko managed to reach the group stage for the first time in 11 years, however, failed to qualify for the quarter-finals after losing their final group game 2-1 to Zesco United on Sunday. 

"I don't think that [no football in the country] is the cause[for Kotoko's exit]," Akonnor said after the game in Zambia. 

"We didn't just do well. In the last game[against Hilal] we didn't perform too well and today Zesco were a bit more aggressive, especially in the second half." 

Kotoko, who needed a win to qualify, opened the scoring through Stephen Nkarko. But they conceded two goals in two minutes to lose the match. 

“I thought after getting the first goal, my players would be encouraged to play very well but a little bit of unintelligence killed us, ”Akonnor added. 

Kotoko finished third in Group C behind Al Hilal and Nkana who made it to the next stage of the competition.