Kotoko Pips Zesco United in Caf Confederation match

Asante Kotoko, Ghana’s representative team in the ongoing Caf Confederation Cup this afternoon register their first win in this year’s CAF league when they beat the visiting team by 2 goals to 1 at the Babara Sports stadium in Kumasi.

In Al Hilal vs Kotoko, the later lost the match away by a 1 goal to nil in the hands but bounced back to winning way. They took an early lead in the 9^th minute through Bonus Kwame. Zesco United was awarded a penalty in the 20^th minute which was effect by midfielder Jesse Were but he missed a glorious opportunity to pull parity. The Asante Kotoko goal keeper Felix Annan palmed the goal bound kick at the right time to keep the score line in favour of his team.

Determined Kotoko team led by manager C.K. Akonor doubled their lead five minutes later in the 25^th minute through Emmanuel Gyamfi.

By virtue of this win, all the teams in group C of the ongoing CAF champions’ league have three points apiece with goals. Asante Kotoko is third on the group table with three point, have scored three goals and considered two just al Al Hilal.

The pressure was the visitors to secure a draw but this was never to be even after pulling one goal back to end the game 2-1 in favour of the home team.

 On the day, Kumasi Asante Kotoko had everything going in their favour from the home support to the match statistics.

In the 85^th minute of the game the Kotoko goal keeper pulled a great from a goal bound header of Rahim Osmanu save which would have been the equalizer for the away team.

Kotoko was denied a third goal in the dying minutes of the game when Bonsu was denied another chance to make it three for the home team by the goal post.

Kondwani Mtonga picked a late red card in the 90^th minute of the game after a silly tackle. He deliberately stepped on Stephen Nyarko and so go a straight red card and an early shower before the match ended  

Kotoko had 9 shots on target as against Zesco United’s 5, Ball possession, number of accurate passes all favoured the determine home team.

This win will be a moral boaster for the playing team, management and the supporters of the porcupine warriors.

Many of the teaming fans of Asante Kotoko showered praises on the coach and team and jubilated throughout the match. Team anthems and slogans have all of a sudden invaded the air waves on radio. Jubilant supporters were found tooting horns and chanting the name of the home team.

This win was very important for the team and have dispatched Zesco convincingly, the supports of Asante Kotoko who never desire to be defeated will demand more of such wins from the playing body going into subsequent matches.

On the day, the better side won and the team that was hungry for success proved itself at home.

Kotoko will travel to face Nkana who beat Al Hilal at home 2-1. The next match is scheduled for 24^th February. The least fans of Kumasi Asante Kotoko will expect is a draw when they honour their next match in the CAF Confederation Cup.