Josiah
Asante Kotoko face a daunting task in the CAF Confederation Cup playoff after falling 1-0 to Wydad Casablanca at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors started brightly, pressing high and nearly taking the lead within the first 10 minutes. However, their failure to capitalize on a clear opportunity proved costly as Wydad gradually took control of the game with their composed possession and tactical discipline.
Kotoko goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was called into action several times in the first half, making key saves to keep the scoreline goalless. But Wydad’s persistent pressure finally broke through early in the second half.
In the 47th minute, a poorly cleared Kotoko corner allowed an unmarked Wydad player to slot home from close range, handing the Moroccan side a 1-0 advantage. The goal highlighted defensive lapses that Kotoko will need to fix before the return leg in Casablanca.
Things went from bad to worse for the Ghanaian side just two minutes later when goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was sent off for handling the ball outside his box while attempting to deny a goal-bound effort. Reduced to 10 men, Kotoko were forced to adopt a more defensive approach for the remainder of the game.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Kotoko showed grit and organization to limit further damage, but they struggled to create meaningful chances going forward.
The narrow defeat leaves Asante Kotoko with a steep mountain to climb in the second leg in Casablanca, where they will need a near-perfect performance to keep their Confederation Cup hopes alive.
