Kumasi Asante Kotoko have for the first time qualified for the group stage of the CAF champions league competition despite losing 1-0 to USCAFOOT.

Kotoko advanced to the next stage of the competition on a 6-1 aggregate after thrashing the Madagascar club 6-0 in the first leg in Obuasi a fortnight ago.

The porcupine warriors played with ten men for greater part of the game after a needless kick by Charles Taylor on an opponent attracted the red card.

USCAFOOT had two first half goals disallowed but managed to find the back of the net in the second half.

Asante Kotoko coach E.K Afranie in a post match interview praised his warriors for managing to contain the threat of the home side.

“The first half didn’t go the way we planned, especially when the red card was shown.

“Nevertheless, they fought very hard and deserved qualification.

“The referee was very bad, all the calls were against us. I think he did not help matters”

“The money zone means a lot to me personally and we would do well to go for the ultimate” Afranie said.

The draw for the next round of the competition will be held in Cairo on Saturday 13 May.