Head coach of Kwara United, Tunde Sanni, has expressed strong confidence ahead of his side’s decisive CAF Confederation Cup preliminary second-leg clash against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko.
The Nigerian FA Cup champions will host the Porcupine Warriors at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday, looking to overturn a narrow 4-3 defeat from the first leg in Accra.
Reflecting on the opening fixture, Sanni said the three goals his team scored away from home could prove vital in their quest for progression.
“It was not like us to concede that many, but I must give credit to the boys for fighting back and scoring three times away from home. Those goals are very important for us going into the second leg,” he noted.
The Kwara United boss believes Kotoko will find it extremely difficult in Abeokuta, where his team has built a reputation for being formidable on home soil.
“Kotoko cannot stop us here. We are a difficult team to beat in Abeokuta, and with our fans behind us, we will show our true strength,” he declared.
Sanni admitted some of his key players were below par in Accra but backed them to deliver a much stronger performance in front of their home crowd.
“We had a few players who were not fully sharp in Accra, but back at home I am sure they will step up. We will also tighten up defensively and make sure we don’t give Kotoko easy chances,” he added.
He further emphasized the significance of discipline, efficiency, and fan support as the deciding factors in Sunday’s clash.
“This is the kind of match that defines a team’s character. We respect Kotoko, but we believe in ourselves. If we play with discipline and take our chances, we will go through. Our supporters should come out in numbers. Their energy will push us to get the result we need.”
