● Samuel Boadu – Hearts chief trainer

Right from the opening half of the nerve-jangling game, it was increasingly becoming clear that Asante Kotoko were on their way to a potential exit from the CAF Champions League preliminary stage as visiting Burkinabe side – RC Kadiogo, stole a 16th-minute lead at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The stadium, hitherto lively and tumultuous, surrendered its vivacity to a calm, confused stillness and trepidation, especially when Dramane Kambou’s free-kick exploded into the net of the Porcupine Warriors.

Faces of dyed-in-the-wool fans turned red and sore. The reverse imagery was obvious as the small band of Kadiogo fans here at the stadium cart-wheeled for joy. Kadiogo had suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first fixture played in Benin – instead of Burkina Faso; CAF having rejected their stadium for its shabby nature.

In a pre-match interview, the Kadiogo management had insisted on storming Kumasi to beat Kotoko before their pet contingent. That threat was taken with a pinch of salt by the Asanteman Warriors who predicted a repeat of the ‘prussic acid’ they served their opponents in Benin, a week earlier. But that was not to be!

After a 0-1 scoreline into the break, Kotoko returned onto the pitch full of piss and vinegar – working ruthlessly in a valiant attempt to pull parity and possibly strike victory. Nothing came out of  their efforts that saw a profusion of opportunities blown off –  until the two sides were ushered into the lottery of penalty kicks as the aggregate result stood at 1-1.

Believe it or not, before their own eyes in Kumasi, Kadiogo outkicked Kotoko (1-3) and plunged the stadium into torment and tears. For the Burkinabe, it was an encore of the 1979 victory they chalked over Kotoko in similar fashion – during the African Winners Cup competition.

It is sad that Ghana’s league champions could not even proceed beyond the first round of qualifiers. It is such a huge disappointment to Ghana football.

Kotoko may be looking back at the defeat with lots of anguish and wonder whether it was even prudent to let Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum go after guiding the Reds to win their 24th Premiership title last season. Ogum’s exit, partly triggered by a brouhaha over transfer targets towards their CAF Champions League, now raises very pertinent queries and the club’s hierarchy must bow their heads in shame.

Embarrassingly, out of 10 appearances, the Porcupine Warriors have suffered nine exits – only making it to the Group Stage Money Zone as far back as 2006.

That the four initial slots allotted Ghanaian clubs in Africa (two each in the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions) have been slashed to two – due to shabby outputs in the competitions over the years, is disturbing – cannot be over-emphasised.

Even as one hopes important lessons have been picked up zooming into the future, it is the expectation of Ghanaians that Sunday’s result must be a wake-up call to Hearts of Oak who begin their CAF Confederation Cup competition next month.

Hearts drew a bye in the first round and would now face Mali side Real Bamako who got the better of AS Douanes of Burkina Faso.

In 2004, Hearts won the maiden edition of the CAF Confederation Cup by upstaging sworn rivals and compatriots – Kotoko. Could they snatch it again? None can tell now; but truth is that they face a real mammoth task head in the campaign.

The Phobians have not been stimulating enough in the start of the betPawa Ghana Premier League, having lost one (1-0) and drawing the other (1-1) against Aduana Stars and Great Olympics respectively. They really have to improve – and it must be swift before their continental campaign rolls off.

PlainTalk With John Vigah