Asante Kotoko picked up a vital away goal in Mauritania in their CAF Champions League eliminator with FC Nouadhibou in a battle that ended 1-1 at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya in Nouakchott.
First half goals from Ibrahim Osman for Kotoko and Hemeya Tanjy for Nouadhibou FC through a dubious penalty has set Kotoko up for favourable tie in Ghana for the second leg.
Striker Ibrahim Osman gave Asante Kotoko an early goal in the 5th minutes of the game when he latched onto a pass from Emmanuel Gyamfi inside the box to beat the Nouadhibou FC goalkeeper, Drissa Kouyate.
Asante Kotoko controlled the early exchanges of the game as they swung passes amongst themselves comfortably.
Nouadhibou however got back into the game when the referee awarded them a dubious penalty on one of their few attacks in the first half. Hemeya Tanjy converted for the home side to draw them level in the 22nd minute.
Both teams could not make a proper incursion in attack though Asante Kotoko controlled most parts of the first half.
Asante Kotoko in the second half were more defensive with occasional attacks but could not break the defense of their opponents, the game thus ended one-all.
Asante Kotoko return home with a goal advantage as they take on Nouadhibou FC in a week’s time at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Benjamin Yamoah
