Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach Abdul Karim Zito conceded that his defenders 'surprised" him in Kotoko's game against Nigeria's Kwara United.
Kotoko beat Kwara United 4-3 in the first of a two legged match at the Accra Sports Stadium in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Porcupine Warriors lost twice in the first half and with Kotoko striker Albert Amoah making it 4-2 for the visitors in the 73rd minute, Abdulraheem Shola scored in the 85th minute to reduce Kwara's deficit.
The return leg at Nigeria on Sunday, September 28 and in speaking at a post-game press conference, defenders' performance surprised Karim Zito.
"Well I was also surprised for the goals [we conceded] how you were surprised. Today, if you had been in my dressing room, I applauded the attackers and then told the defenders, you are surprising me."
"This is the first time some of them [the Kotoko players] are playing in this type of competition, it's not simple but…I've seen my errors and I have to perform well and rectify them before we go there [Nigeria]" Zito explained.