Kumasi Asante Kotoko has succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Wydad Athletic Club in the CAF Confederation Cup playoff at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors now faced an uphill task ahead of the reverse fixture following the narrow defeat to the Moroccans.
Asante Kotoko stayed on top for most part of the contest in the opening minutes — they dictated the pace and dominated possession but failed to take their chances until the visitors gradually soaked up the pressure and took absolute control.
Kotoko Goalkeeper Mohammed Camara’s fantastic saves in the first half proved vital but Wydad’s incessant pressure eventually paid off just two minutes after the restart. Kotoko’s defence went to sleep and got punished. Thembinkosi Lorch sent in a fine corner kick and Congolese midfielder Joseph Bakasu who was unmarked smashed in from close range.
The Ghanaians were reduced to ten men when Camara was sent packing for handling the ball out of his penalty area in a frantic attempt to block a goal-bound effort. The numerical difference stifled Kotoko’s performance but gave Wydad the opportunity to sit on the driving seat for the rest of the game.
Despite being a man down Kotoko were able to keep their opponents at bay leaving the return leg open for either side.
