By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, Jan. 13, GNA – Kumasi Asante Kotoko emerged 3-2 victors, against the Cameroonian counterparts, Coton Sports in the playoff match in this year’s Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), Confederation Cup competition, in a fascinating five-goal thriller played at Military Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Emmanuel Gyamfi, Maxwell Baakoh and Abdul Fatawu scored for the Porcupine Warriors, as they urged closer to qualifying to the group stages of this year’s Confederations Cup.
Gyamfi, opened the scoring for the Ghanaians side on the 10th minute mark, when he dazzled past the Coton Sport defence and struck the ball past the Coton Sport goalkeeper for the opener.
Kotoko dominated play in the early stages of the game, creating lots of chances and deservedly doubled their lead through Baakoh, who delivered a ferocious strike to put Kotoko in cruise control of the tie.
Kotoko continued the dominance of the game going to the end of the first half, but a bad tackle by Baakoh gifted Coton Sport a penalty with Dauoda Tamimu, striking home to reduce the deficit for the home side.
Coton Sport started the second half on the front foot, in search of the much needed equalizer with relentless pressure on the Kotoko defence.
The Porcupine Warriors, handled the pressure very well and were tactful in their approach, as Kotoko midfielder Abdul Fatawu scored the cushion goal for the Porcupine Warriors on the 52nd minute mark.
Coton Sport, despite falling behind still mounted pressure on Kotoko defence as Guame Arena pulled one back for the home side on the 75th minute, with a composed finish from close range to set up a nervy 15 minutes for the Ghanaian giants.
Coton Sport threw their attacking prowess at Kotoko in search of the crucial equalizer but the Warriors defence stood firm as they now have the advantage going into the second leg to be played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium next week.
GNA
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