We lost to a better side, Kano Pillars’ coach admits

Head trainer of Kano Pillars of Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa has admitted that his side lost to a better side in their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie.

The Nigerians were booted out of the competition after Asante Kotoko recorded a 2-0 win on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.

Musa said his side has learnt a lesson from the defeat, adding they would correct their mistakes to come back stronger next season.

Speaking to the media after the defeat, Coach Musa said, “I didn’t want to go into the game because we lost. We missed some key players due to injuries. We played 19 matches without a defeat from the league, Super Six and we are currently the champions of Nigeria’s Aiteo Cup.

“So in terms of selection, we had a problem. That is why I didn’t want to go into it and I said we lost to the better side,” he said.

The coach who did two early substitutions in the first half added: “After they conceded the early goal, I realised our game plan was not working, so I decided to go all out to get the equaliser and that was the reason why I did the early substitutions”.

Kano Pillars were eliminated from the CAF Champions League on 3-4 aggregate.