Asante Kotoko players will pocket a financial package of GH¢ 30,000 from the club’s board for ‘playing so well’ in their 2-1 defeat to Algerian side ES Setif on Sunday.

In their CAF Confederation Cup final qualifying round first leg staged at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Ghana Premier League side were tamed by the Algerians despite taking the lead.

The board set aside that money in order to motivate the players to win the home tie.

”We had promised them GH¢ 30,000 to win but even though they couldn’t win, tomorrow [Monday] we will give to them,” Kotoko board member Kojo Boateng Genfi confirmed to Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.

After a 0-0 goalless first half, Kotoko maintained their performance and shot into the lead when Kwame Opoku sublimely slotted past the goalkeeper after being put through clear on goal.

But Mohamed Amine Amoura climbed off the bench to level for the Algerian side before Ahmed Kendouci scored the winner.

Kotoko were awarded a penalty but Guinean import Naby Keita missed after his kick was palmed by the ES Setif goalkeeper before the ball struck the crossbar.

”This was hard luck because the players played well. The board talked to them before the game. Even though they lost, we are going to pay them bonus because of the way they played not for losing but the way they played,” another board member Kwasi Osei Ofori is quoted by Oyerepa FM.

Asante Kotoko will travel to Algiers to play the return game this weekend.

Source:Modernghana.com