Kumasi Asante Kotoko exited this year’s CAF Champions League after falling to a painful 2-1 home loss to Algeria’s El Eulma at the Baba Yara sports stadium.

The Porcupine Warriors were hoping to continue to the latter stages, but fell prey to a well disciplined Algerian side who managed to outsmart them tactically, leaving the Kumasi sports stadium deathly still at the blast of the referee’s final whistle.

A goalless draw in the first leg meant Kotoko needed a simple win to progress, and they looked set on the path to victory when forward Obed Owusu put them ahead just before half time.

The Algerians came out for the second half determined to get a goal, knowing a 1-0 score line was going to send them crashing out. And they did equalise, in the 61st minute, putting them ahead on away goals.

Kotoko went in all guns blazing for the second goal, but all that did was leave huge gaps at the back which Eulma capitalised on.

Already on the verge of qualification, they made doubly sure with a goal in stoppage time- to leave Kotoko dumbstruck as they clinched an impressive away victory.

The loss means Hearts of Oak, who beat Senegalese opposition to qualify to the next round of the Confederations Cup; are now Ghana’s sole representatives in African club competition.