Two- time winners of CAF Champions League, Asante Kotoko has beaten Burkinabe Giants, RC Kadiogo by a goal to nil at the General Mathieu Kerekou Stadium in Benin this afternoon.
The only goal of the match came in the 94th minute courtesy Isaac Oppong ‘Neymar’ strike.
Kotoko ensured they beat their opponent in the CAF Champions League preminary first leg far away in Cotonou to make the second leg lighter.
The first half of the match ended goaless as both teams failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way.
Asante Kotoko’s George Mfegue Omgba was the most culprit as the failed to utilize all the begging chances that fell for him.
RC Kadiogo’s Goalkeeper, Aboubakar Sawadogo had to stretch to his elastic limit to parry away Richard Lamptey’s strike to corner.
However, the resultant corner kick was wasted by Kotoko.
The Burkina Faso side looked the stronger side early into the game as they pressured the Ghanaians but Seydou Zerbo’s side were on hand to hold off the pressure from the opposition.
The second of the match began the same way as the first half with both teams trying to take lead.
Players of RC Kadiogo used their physique to their advantage as they bullied Kotoko players to the 50-50 chances.
Both teams exhausted their substitutions but none could take advantage, until the 94th minute when Isaac Oppong’s solo effort yielded positive results for the Porcupines Warriors.
Oppong received a low cross and dummied two defenders of the opposing team and unleashed a strike that beat the RC Kadiogo goal keeper.
RC Kadiogo had no chance to restart the game after the goal as Referee Yelebodom Gado Mawabwe from Togo, whistled to end proceedings.
The win means Kotoko command a 1-0 advantage heading into the return leg to be played at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday September 18, 2022.
The winner of the tie will face Gaborone of Botswana or AS Vita Club from DR Congo.
David Afum
