Asante Kotoko coach praises Umar Bashiru after advancing in Confed Cup

Asante Kotoko coach praises Umar Bashiru after advancing in Confed Cup

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Dec 25, 2018. 09:00

Ghanaian side defeated Kariobangi Sharks to progress in CAF CC.

Asante Kotoko coach CK Akunnor has praised the influence of midfielder Umar Bashiru in their victory over Kariobangi Sharks.

The Ghanaian giants defeated the Kenyan visitors 2-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium to win their CAF Confederation Cup tie by the same aggregate score and advance into next year’s playoff round.

Akunnor introduced Bashiru off the bench in the second half when the Kenyans looked to be in control of the game, but the ex-WAFA midfielder came on to stabilise his side.

“We were not too exciting today, I must admit,” Akonnor said. “The opponent really did well. We struggled a bit and were not compact enough in the midfield.

“Umar Basiru gave us the stability we needed when he came in. We were leading at that time and so the idea was to contain the pressure and if the opportunity comes for us to score, we score.

“It’s a problem that we need to work on. If we are able to strengthen the team from within and improve the way we play from the middle, I think it will solve a lot of problems for us.

“Thank God we have somebody like Umar. Any time he comes in, he is able to stabilise things for us and I think we need that stability.

“Whether he will start or not, there is a competition. There is also Kwame Bonsu, who is working so hard to be in the team. We look forward to seeing everybody progress.”

The Porcupine Warriors will know their playoff round opponents when the draw is held at CAF headquarters in Cairo on December 28.




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