CAF Confederation Cup: Wydad Stun 10-Man Kotoko in Accra
Wydad AC secures a crucial 1-0 victory over Asante Kotoko in the CAF Confederation Cup first leg. Joseph Bakasu's decisive goal and a red card for Kotoko's goalkeeper Mohammed Camara leave Kotoko with an uphill task in the return leg.
“The situation we find ourselves in is difficult but it isn’t impossible to come back...”
Wydad Athletic Club secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Asante Kotoko in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup playoff at the Accra Sports Stadium. Joseph Bakasu's second-half strike proved to be the difference between the two teams.
The Moroccan side now holds a significant advantage heading into the return leg in Casablanca. They will look to build on their slender lead and advance to the group stage of the competition. Asante Kotoko, on the other hand, will need to overcome a one-goal deficit to keep their Confederation Cup hopes alive.
The match got off to a frenetic pace, with both teams locked in a intense battle from the kickoff. The first half flew by in a blur, with neither side able to gain a clear advantage or create any significant scoring opportunities.
The deadlock was finally broken just after the interval, when Joseph Bakasu arrived unmarked to nod home a pinpoint cross, giving Wydad the lead in the 47th minute. The goal marked a turning point in the match, and Wydad seemed to gain momentum from there.
Bakasu's clinical finish proved decisive as he rose unmarked at the far post to power home the ball, giving Wydad the lead. The goal marked a significant moment in the match, and Kotoko's troubles were compounded just moments later.
Disaster struck for the home side when goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the penalty box, reducing Kotoko to ten men. The setback left Kotoko reeling and Wydad with a significant advantage heading into the second leg.
With the lead, Wydad took control of the game, dominating possession and absorbing Kotoko's pressure on the sweltering Accra afternoon. However, Kotoko refused to give up, and head coach Karim Zito injected fresh attacking energy into the team, urging his players to push for an equalizer.
Despite their best efforts, Kotoko's attempts to level the score were thwarted by some crucial interventions from the Wydad defense. A late effort that seemed destined for the net was ruled out for offside, and moments later, a goal-bound header was dramatically cleared off the line, ensuring Wydad's slender lead remained intact.
Wydad demonstrated their experience and composure in defense, expertly managing the game clock and maintaining their slender lead until the final whistle.
Despite the loss, Kotoko's coach, Karim Zito, remained optimistic, stating that his team still has a great opportunity to turn the tie around in the upcoming match in Morocco. “It's two games, and we've lost the first one,” Zito said. “The fans should be patient and wait for what happens in Morocco.” He emphasized that his team won't give up, drawing inspiration from their previous away win against Kwara United.
Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito remains optimistic about his team's chances in the CAF Confederation Cup despite the 1-0 defeat to Wydad AC in the first leg. “The situation we find ourselves in is difficult but it isn’t impossible to come back. There’s still the second leg left to play,” Zito said, highlighting the team's determination to stage a comeback.
The Porcupine Warriors face an uphill task in the second leg in Morocco on October 24, where they need to overturn the one-goal deficit to secure a place in the group stages of the competition. Despite the challenging situation, Zito believes his team can still make a comeback, citing their previous away win against Kwara United as proof that nothing is impossible.
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