Emmanuel Gyamfi, winger of Kotoko, angry for the shock of Kano Pillars

Sports News from Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Source: ghanacrusader.com

2019-07-31

Asante Kotoko's winger Emmanuel Gyamfi believes the club is highly motivated for the Kano Pillars clash in the CAF Champions League playoff next month.

The first stage with the Nigerians should take place at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, with a capacity of 16,000 seats, on the weekend of 9-11 August. August 23-25.

Last season, Porcupines reached the group stage of the Confederation Cup, but they could not qualify for the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, they showed promise in the 2019/20 Champions League, after defeating Rahimo FC, winner of the Burkinabe Premier League and FA Cup, in an international friendly match in Kumasi last Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who played ten games in the Confederation Cup last season, told Ghanacrusader in an interview that he was ready to take on the challenge ahead. "The match against Kano Pillars is special for all of us, for all players. We are looking forward to it.

"We were ready to meet any team, but we did not want to face a North African team. So, the draw, I would say, gave us the type of opponent we wanted. We are both West African clubs. Our style of play is pretty much the same, so the opposition will not be too difficult, "he said. "It will not be easy for us, but we are determined to qualify and we will give everything."

Kotoko enters the interclub championship with a change of perspective compared to last season after a change of staff that has brought a new coach, the Norwegian Kjetil Zacharibaden. The game body also has a different appearance. Some of the old faces are now out and have been replaced by new recruits.

Gyamfi was of the opinion that the changes strengthen the strength of the team. "The Kano Pillars are a good team, but we have the team to beat them by looking at our level of performance right now. New players also want to achieve something for the club and themselves. We have more confidence to go to Nigeria and play. The Kano Pillars have a good team but we will play to win. "