By Blitzik sports
Kwara United football club of Ilorin missed out on progressing to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 1-0 to Asante Kotoko of Ghana at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, exiting the competition 5-3 on aggregate.
The Harmony Boys as fondly called dominated the first half and created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert at least five clear chances, leaving the game goalless at halftime.
Despite their early dominance, Asante Kotoko soaked up the pressure and came out stronger in the second half. Their persistence was rewarded in the 53rd minute when Hubert Gyalu struck the decisive goal that sealed the Ghanaians’ victory.
Even with tactical adjustments from the Kwara United technical crew, all efforts to restore parity — and possibly win — proved futile as the Asante Kotoko defense held firm until the final whistle.
Head Coach Tunde Sanni expressed disappointment over the team’s inability to convert their chances but remained optimistic, assuring fans that the team will regroup and focus on improving their performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Kwara United will now turn their attention to the domestic league, starting with a rescheduled NPFL Matchday 5 clash against Plateau United on Thursday, followed by another fixture against Abia Warriors on Sunday both at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.