Asante Kotoko are at home to Nigeria’s Kano Pillars on Sunday in the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round clash. 

The first leg was highly entertaining and finished 3-2 in favour of Kano Pillars.

While Kano Pillars will be buoyed going into this tie, they will not take Kotoko lightly. The Porcupine Warriors have two important away goals and are unbeaten in their last five home games in Africa.

The aggregate winners of the tie will secure passage to face Hafia FC of Guinea or Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel in the second round of qualifying.

WHAT IS THE KICKOFF TIME?

The match will start at exactly 15:00 GMT and will take place at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. 

RECENT FORM

Kotoko have performed well in their last five encounters, winning three and losing one although two of their victories came via penalty shootouts. Their 2-0 win over Medeama was perhaps one of their best games in recent memory. Justice Blay and Godfred Asiamah made some key contributions in the last game and will hope to do so again.

Kano Pillars have been superb in their last five competitive matches, winning four and drawing once. Their standout result was the 2-0 win over Enyimba FC in the Championship round two months ago. Rabiu Ali has been one of the standout performers for Sai Masu Gida, leading by example on the pitch and scoring some crucial goals. 

TEAM NEWS

Kotoko winger Augustine Okrah missed the first tie after failing to complete his registration and may be absent for the second leg as well.

Kano Pillars coach Ibrahim Musa had to make do without David Ebuka, Sunday Chinedu Adamu Hassan and Ali Malam for the first leg due to late paperwork and may have to set up his side for the second leg without them.

QUOTES

Kotoko coach Kjetil Zachariassen: We did our best in the first game and I still believe that we should have picked up at least a point.

It was a very difficult game but that is in the past now. We have been very serious in training since we returned and the players are responding to the tactics.

Kano Pillars coach Ibrahim Musa: We are preparing massively to come to Ghana and beat them on Sunday because my team is doing well and I trust them.

I will come to Ghana and play good football to qualify. We conceded two set-piece goals against Kotoko and we are working on them before we come to Ghana. 

MATCH FACTS

Kano Pillars are yet to make it past the first round since their semi-final finish in 2009.

Kotoko last reach the group stage of Caf Champions League in 2006 but were in the group stage of CAF Confederation Cup last year. 

--