Despite their painful 2-1 defeat to ZESCO United in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Zambia, Asante Kotoko head coach C.K. Akonnor as applauded his players for a great outing in the competition.

A 2-1 defeat to ZESCO United dashed the hopes of the Porcupine Warriors of qualifying to the quarter finals of the competition for the first time in 16 years.

Kotoko’s campaign started ta the first round of the competition where they kicked out Kenyan side Kariobangi Sharks before blowing away Cameroonian side Coton Sport Garoua to make it to the group stage.

The Reds won two games and a draw in their six group games but Akonnor thinks his charges deserve commendation after just four months of preparations.

“It’s a match that we wanted to win so badly because of the situation.

“If you look at the situation we were in, Zesco had nothing to lose, without any pressure and we wanted to get into the quarter finals which meant so much for us but we didn’t play very well as we’ve been doing,” he said.

“The goals we conceded since we started this campaign has been a major problem and it has affected us.

“Honestly we’ve lost bitterly but I must say I’m proud of the boys from the time we started this it’s been a difficult journey.”

“Today is the end of the journey and hopefully we’ll learn from this campaign and comeback stronger,” he added.

C.K. Akonnor was appointed on the 1st of October 2018 and has spent only give month with the team.