Asante Kotoko submit to Al Hilal in Confederation cup game

 
GNA – Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC opened their Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Confederation Cup group match with a lone goal defeat at the hands of Sudanese champions Al Hilal Omdurman in their first outing

A first half strike from 20-year-old Waleed Bakhiek Hamid, was enough to make the difference.

Kotoko, who are a return to the group stage of the African competition since 2008, was hoping for a good start to their campaign playing as guest to the Sudanese, but the result was a slow start.

With the early stages of the game looking very balanced as both sides were very cautious, The Blue Wave, with their slight advantage in possession, got the breakthrough in the 40th minute from Bakhiek Hamid, who connected a headed pass from Nasr El Din Shigel following a free-kick.

The porcupine warriors nearly pulled even, a minute afterwards, but Abdul Fatawu Safiu’s effort came off the crossbar.

Kotoko would be hoping to make amends when they take on ZESCO United from Zambia at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, in their second game in the group stages, before taking on another Zambian side Nkana FC to complete the first face of the group matches.

Meanwhile ZESCO United beat Nkana FC 2-0 in an all Zambian affair in the other group match on Sunday in Zambia.

GNA