Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko have been knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup despite a goalless draw away at ES Setif on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors have been eliminated on the aggregate score of 2-1 following their first leg defeat suffered at home to their Algerian opponents on February 14. Asante Kotoko traveled to Setif with little hope of overturning the results in their favour, hoping for a miraculous output, but that could not happen despite holding the home side to a blank stalemate.
Coach Johnson Smith named an unchanged side from the first leg in the game but it was the Algerians who consistently charged on their opponents for a goal. Asante Kotoko goalkeepter Razak Abalora was kept so busy that he was the difference as he thwarted all of the opponents efforts at goal. He made several dangerous saves for the Porcupine Warriors to deny Setif a goal at their own backyard, but his heroics were not enough to save the Ghanaian side.
In the end, E.S Setif have advanced to the Group Stage of the CAF Confederation Cup while Asante Kotoko are back home to concentrate on the domestic league.