Kumasi Asante Kotoko was handed a 3-2 first-leg defeat by the Nigerian side Kano Pillars in the first round of qualifiers in the CAF Champions League.
The Nigerian side got off to a perfect start in the game as Hillary Paul overcame Ayiku Tetteh’s tackle to hit a low shot to beat Felix Annan in the 13th minute.
Pillars ended the first half with the one-nil advantage but 3 minutes after the second half started, Kotoko got the equaliser through Justice Blay.
Asante Kotoko took a 2-1 lead courtesy a sublime free-kick hit by Godfred Asiamah in the 67th minute.
However, the Nigerians restored parity as Victor Dennis drew the level for Kano Pillars in the 70th minute. The turnaround was completed in the 76th minute through a goal from Nyima Nekabari.
The return leg will be played on the weekend of August 23-25 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
