Frimpong, who featured for the Porcupine Warriors in the stalemate last Saturday, however cautioned his teammates against any complacency because Sharks could cause an upset in Kumasi if they were underrated.
Similar sentiments came from Coach Akonnor who expressed his satisfaction with the outcome but maintained that a lot of work would need to be done to ensure victory by Kotoko at the Baba Yara stadium.
The Kotoko coach told the Graphic Sport via telephone that his side could have turned the game around, if the attack had been razor sharp because they failed to convert some scoring chances that would have given them a big advantage into the return leg encounter.
“It was a difficult match. We managed to be well organised and disciplined to get a good result because we knew what our opponents could do.
“We didn’t do much in front and we have to improve upon that [attack] when we get home. I’m very certain that we can get a good result and go through this stage,” a confident Akonnor said.
A scoreless draw gives the Porcupine Warriors the psychological edge but the coach wants his players to maintain their focus and not get carried away by the result.
“We are not going to relax, the target is to qualify for the next stage and we are going to work hard to achieve that.”
The Kotoko captain maintained that Sharks are a good side who are, “a well-composed side that prefer keeping up possession” but remained confident they would see off the Kenyans in Kumasi.
In a chat with the Graphic Sports before the team left Nairobi for Addis Ababa en route to Accra, 26-year-old Frimpong said Kotoko would have to work on their finishing [attack] ahead of Saturday's return leg match in order to ensure a convincing win at home.
The skipper was optimistic that he would lead Kotoko into the next phase of the CAF?Cup but admitted it would not be easy beating a well-organised Sharks team even in Kumasi.
"They are a good side who can cause an upset when underrated, so I want to caution my colleagues to avoid being complacent in our second leg at home.
"I believe we have a good side to go through but you have to respect a well-composed side that keeps possession because they can easily unsettle you if care is not taken," Frimpong said.
"They played very well in our first leg but we were resilient and I have to give credit to my teammates for a good work done away from home, especially as we kept a clean sheet.
"What we need now is to work on our finishing against them in the second leg because we need to be clinical to go through and I trust my colleagues to have that psychological edge in front of their home crowd," he added.
Kotoko are due to arrive in the Ghana today and move straight into camp to prepare for Saturday’s clash in Kumasi.
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