Asante Kotoko coach Charles Kwablan Akunor has praised his players after a stunning win over Coton Sports de Garoua in Cameroon on Sunday in the CAF Confederations Cup play-offs first leg.
The Porcupine Warriors recorded a 3-2 victory in Yaounde to take an early advantage back to Ghana ahead of the second leg next Sunday.
Emmanuel Gyemfi, Maxwell Baako and Abdul Fatawu scored for the Reds in Cameroon and their manager, C.K Akunor, who was under-pressure ahead of this game expressed relief praising his players stating he was proud of their performance.
"Look, you made it happen," Akonnor told his players after the game. "Yes, you did it, and I am very proud of you."
"I knew it wasn't going to be easy", Akonnor added. "Coton Sport are a great side, but we had a plan and I am so glad that my players carried through the plan perfectly."
Emmanuel Gyamfi put the visitors in front in the 8th minute by latching onto Abdul Fatawu Safiu's through pass to go one-on-one with the Coton Sport goalkeeper to slot into the middle of the net.
The goal came after Songne Yacouba and Abdul Fatawu Safiu had taken turns to miss from close range.
Maxwell Baakoh doubled the lead in the 30th minute with a cool finish into the left bottom corner after rounding up two markers.
Dauda Kamilo pulled one back for the hosts from the spot after Morrocan referee Samir Guezzaz's controversial penalty call to Maxwell Baakoh's tackle on an opposing player in the penalty box.
Fatawu Safiu restored the two-goal lead in the 50th minute by intercepting a pass from the Coton Sport goalkeeper to curl the ball into the far post before Guema Araina drew a consolation goal for the hosts in the 71st-minute with a half volley.