Asante Kotoko Falls to Wydad Casablanca in CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round
Asante Kotoko faced a tough challenge in their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round match, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Moroccan powerhouse Wydad Athletic Club at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Porcupines began the match with confidence, matching Wydad in possession and intensity during the first half. However, just five minutes into the second half, Wydad broke the deadlock when Joseph Bakasu capitalized on a defensive error to score the only goal of the game.
Kotoko’s hopes of a comeback were further dashed shortly after the goal when goalkeeper Mohammed Camara received a straight red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area. This incident occurred during a quick counterattack by Wydad, leaving Kotoko to battle with ten men for the remaining minutes.
Despite the setback, Kotoko’s defense held firm, with substitute goalkeeper Aziz Haruna making several crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable. The hosts fought diligently to prevent further damage, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.
The return leg is set for Friday at 7:00 PM in Casablanca, where Kotoko will need to overturn the deficit to advance to the group stage of the competition. The team will be looking to harness their fighting spirit and capitalize on any opportunities to secure a win away from home.
Nairobi United Stuns Etoile du Sahel
In another thrilling match, Kenyan debutants Nairobi United produced a remarkable 2-0 victory over Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel at the Nyayo National Stadium. The hosts took the lead in the 37th minute through Ovella Ochieng and doubled their advantage shortly after halftime with a goal from John Otieno.
Otoho d’Oyo Claims Vital Away Win
AS Otoho d’Oyo achieved a crucial 1-0 away victory against Ferroviário Maputo of Mozambique. The breakthrough came late in the match, in the 80th minute, giving the visitors an advantageous position ahead of the return leg.
Singida Black Stars Earn Valuable Away Goal
In a closely contested match, Singida Black Stars of Tanzania drew 1-1 with Flambeau du Centre of Burundi. The Tanzanian side took the lead in the 60th minute, but the hosts equalized just two minutes later, giving Singida a valuable away goal ahead of the second leg.
