Kotoko coach C.K Akunnor has picked positives from his side’s 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in the Confederation Cup at the Baba Yara stadium, Kumasi.

With Nkana beating Zesco 3-0 at home, Kotoko needed a win against Hilal to go through to the knockout stage for the first time since 2005. But Kotoko were lucky not to lose after striker Songne Yacouba scored a late equaliser.

“I am disappointed, but I am happy that we did not also lose the game because we gave it our all, especially in the second half. Before the game we the technical team knew the scores from the Nkana-ZESCO game but didn’t tell the players” Akunnor said after the match

“However after the first half we had to tell them to make them aware of the fact that we can’t afford to lose the game.

“It worked for us and we played a much better game in the second half and managed to get the equalizer with a few minutes to end the game. Our next game is away to Zesco in Zambia, a game we must win at all costs”