Kumasi Asante Kotoko have edged Nigerian side Kwara United 4-3 in the CAF Confederation Cup following a pulsating first-leg preliminary round encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The narrow victory has given the Porcupine Warriors a slim advantage ahead of the reverse fixture next week.
Karim Zito’s charges began the game on a front foot and deservedly took the lead through Emmanuel Antwi, who finished cold bloodedly from Albert Amoah’s cross but the visitors drew level after Johnmark Aule took advantage of the home side’s defensive lapses midway through the first half.
Asante Kotoko went ahead again few minutes before the break when Albert Amoah again latched on Patrick Asiedu’s teasing cross and fired in a sumptuous volley. Kwara United restored parity almost immediately as Aule hits his second with a fine finish to end the interval on a 2-2 stalemate.
Defender Joseph Ablorh headed home from Amidu Acquah’s cross right after the restart to restore Kotoko’s lead before Amoah converting from the spot after Walid Fuseini was fouled inside the area to make it 4-2 for the Ghanaian side.
But the Nigerians demonstrated resilience and fought back in the dying embers of the game after Shola Abdulraheem reacted quickest to a rebound to pull one back.
The results left Kotoko disappointed ahead of the second leg in Ilorin next week.
