Asante Kotoko defender Samba O’Niel has acknowledged the mounting pressure ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round showdown with Kwara United, but insists the team is mentally prepared to rise to the occasion.

The Ghanaian giants will host the Nigerian side on Sunday, September 21 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for Ilorin a week later. For many in the Kotoko squad, this marks their first taste of continental football—a challenge O’Niel believes they’re ready to embrace.

Speaking to Kotoko media, O’Niel reflected on the expectations that come with wearing the iconic red jersey:
“My mentality, as you know, I am always ready. It’s another opportunity for me to make things different. We are confident and training very hard. Most of us are playing in this kind of competition for the first time, so we have to go all out to make a name.”

“When you play for a big club like Kotoko, you have to know that everything you do, they expect you to win—whether you play well or badly. So the pressure will always be there. We need to win to make them happy.” He added.

Kotoko enter the CAF Confederation Cup with strong momentum, having lifted the FA Cup last season and followed it up with victories in the President’s Cup and the Toyota Cup against South African giants Kaizer Chiefs. Under head coach Karim Zito, the team has shown resilience and hunger—qualities that will be crucial in their continental journey.

The first leg in Accra will be pivotal, especially with the second leg set in Nigeria’s football fortress of Ilorin. A strong home performance could set the tone for Kotoko’s ambitions to reach the group stages and beyond.
With Samba O’Niel leading the defensive line and a squad eager to prove themselves on the African stage, Kotoko’s campaign promises drama, determination, and the weight of legacy.