Asante Kotoko was in full confidence, travelling to Morocco for the second leg of the play-off of the CAF Confederation Cup against Wydad Athletic Clu
Asante Kotoko was in full confidence, travelling to Morocco for the second leg of the play-off of the CAF Confederation Cup against Wydad Athletic Club.
The Porcupine Warriors had lost the first leg narrowly at the Accra Sports Stadium to the North Africans.
Travelling to North Africa has become a huge test for teams from West Africa in recent years, and it was clear that Karim-Zito’s charges were in for a big night in Casablanca.
Wydad took the lead within the first minute with Hamza Hannouri scoring to send the home crowd to cloud nine. It was 2-0 on aggregate with 89 minutes to finish the tie.
Skipper for Asante Kotoko, Samba O’Neil, put the visitors on level in the 18th minute. The vociferous home crowd was stunned by the defender’s equaliser.
Burkinabe forward Stephane Aziz Ki calmly slotted home the ball in the 26th minute to restore the Moroccans’ lead.
The first half ended 2-1 in favour of Wydad Casablanca. Asante Kotoko had the most difficult job on earth to do in the second half, as they needed to win to qualify.
The second half got off to a great start for the Moroccans, but they did not score until Thembinkosi Lorch scored a penalty in the 56th minute to put the tie beyond the Porcupine Warriors.
Oussama Zemraoui in the 86th minute scored WAC’s fourth goal from a spot kick. Mohamed Bouchouari rounded up the ecstatic evening for the Moroccans by scoring the fifth goal to ensure an emphatic win for Amine Benhachem’s side.
Wydad Athletic are the favourites for the CAF Confederation Cup and will target the trophy.
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