Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin has apologised to its fans and other stakeholders for its early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup at the preliminary stage.

The club's Chairman, Mr Kumbi Titiloye, described the elimination as painful and regrettable in a statement issued yesterday.

It will be recalled that the club lost 5-3 on aggregate to Ghana's Asante Kotoko on Sunday in Abeokuta.

The Harmony Boys needed an outright win to advance to the next round, but a solitary strike by Hubert Ayau in the 53rd minute secured victory for the Porcupine Warriors in the return leg.

The Chairman appealed to fans for forgiveness, assuring them that Kwara United was determined to bounce back stronger.

"We apologise to our teeming and loyal fans and supporters for this unfortunate result. It was never our plan to crash out at this early stage.

"We are poised to coming back stronger, make amends in the league, and give our supporters something to cheer about," Titiloye said.