Asante Kotoko head coach Kjetil Zachariassen has hailed his players despite losing 3-2 to Kano Pillars in the first leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary round tie.
The Porcupine Warriors threw away a 2-1 second-half lead to lose the match at the General Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.
The Nigerian side capitalised on some poor defending at the back to score two quick goals to win the game.
Speaking after the game, coach Zachariassen was delighted his team's performance and believes they will qualify to the next stage of the competition.
"I am highly elated with my team’s performance because one thing here is that we played against a good team and we scored two important away goals which will be very important for us," he said.
The former AshantiGold gaffer also commended his players for sticking to his game plan which worked very well.
"We will correct our mistakes before the return leg in Kumasi," he said.
Kotoko will host Kano Pillars at the Baba Yara Stadium in the return leg encounter in Kumasi.
The winner of the two-legged tie will face Hafia FC of Guinea or Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel in the next stage.