Asante Kotoko suffered a 3-2 defeat in the hands of Nigerian side Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Hillary Paul shot the hosts in front just after 13 minutes when he overcame Ayiku Tetteh’s tackle to hit a low shot into the far post from inside the penalty box before half time.
Back from recess, Kotoko started very well as midfielder Justice Blay pulled parity for the Porcupine Warriors in the 55th minute after keeping his head down to produce a low header beyond the helpless Kano Pillars goalkeeper.
Kotoko kept their composure in the game after getting the equalizer.
Godfred Asiamah made Kotoko incessant pressure count as he brilliantly scored a freekick to his side a 2-1 lead in the 67th minute but the lead didn’t keep long as Victor Dennis drew Pillars level three minutes later.
The game was heading to 2-2 apiece but Nyima Nekabari became the hero as he struck in the dying embers of the game to clinch a 3-2 victory for Kano Pillars.
Below is Kotoko starting line up.
Felix Annan
Empem Dacosta
Evans Owusu,
Stephen Ayiku Tetteh
Habib Mohammed
Samuel Frimpong
Justice Blay
Emmanuel Gyamfi
Kelvin Andoh
Richard Arthur
and George Abege