No Cause for alarm…Despite conceding a goal on home soil…Coach `Opeele` assures

Asante Kotoko head coach Isaac 'Opeele' Boateng is in high spirits to advance to the next stage of the Champions League, despite conceding a goal on home soil.

He went further to describe the return leg as a forgone conclusion, long before the return encounter in Morocco.

The young coach's firm belief stems from the fact that he has identified the weaknesses in his Moroccan opponents, which he will capitalize on in the return leg, barely a fortnight from now. “It's unfortunate we conceded a goal, it was not just a goal but a flaccid one,” coach Opeele said on telephone yesterday.

He bemoaned the failure of his charges to convert the numerous chances that came their way. The outspoken coach revealed that his team was gradually acclimatizing to his game plan of 'Catanasio', and expected to score on foreign land.

“I have psyched my guys up to approach the return leg with a winning mentality,” he noted. The enormity of the second leg notwithstanding, coach Opeele is brimming with optimism to return from North Africa with flying colours and qualify to the next stage.

Kotoko defeated their Moroccan counterparts Ittihad 3-1 in the first leg at the Essipong Stadium three days ago and are expected to begin training early this week to put their house in order for the return encounter.