Kumasi Asante Kotoko defeated San Pedro of Ivory Coast by a lone goal on Monday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The match which started on Sunday was brought to a halt after the first half due to a heavy downpour, but a 95th minute penalty goal from striker Naby Keita after Sogne Yacouba was brought down in the penalty box by skipper Ngoran Kouassi ensured the porcupine warriors walked over their Ivorian counterparts in the second half, which was played on Monday.
A tactically disciplined San Pedro FC side gave the host a good run for their money as they created some decent opportunities but failed to utilize them, courtesy the individual brilliance of captain and goalkeeper of Asante Kotoko, Felix Annan.
The porcupine warriors will hope to secure qualification to the group stages of the competition as they play San Pedro FC in the return leg this Sunday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in La Côte d’Ivoire.
story by: Ebenezer Gyamerah