Wydad Athletic Club clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Asante Kotoko in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup playoff clash at the Accra Sports Stadium. In a tense encounter marked by physical battles, missed chances, and a red card, the Moroccan giants walked away with a crucial advantage ahead of the decisive second leg in Casablanca.
Early Chess Match Ends with Wydad Breakthrough
Sunday’s fixture opened with both sides testing each other cautiously, offering little in terms of clear-cut opportunities during a tightly contested first half. With defenses on top and chances limited, neither team could break the deadlock before the break.
However, the game took a decisive turn just two minutes into the second half. Wydad capitalized on a lapse in Kotoko’s marking as Joseph Bakasu drifted in unmarked at the back post to slot home a well-placed cross, giving the visitors the lead in the 47th minute.
Kotoko Reduced to Ten, Wydad Take Control
Things went from bad to worse for Kotoko shortly after conceding. Goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area, leaving the Porcupine Warriors down to ten men with over half an hour to play.
With the numerical advantage, Wydad slowed the tempo and expertly managed possession. Their experienced midfield dictated play under the sweltering Accra heat, forcing Kotoko to chase shadows in search of a response.
Late Push from Kotoko Falls Short
Despite being a man down, Kotoko refused to go quietly. Head coach Karim Zito made attacking substitutions in a bid to level the score, and his side managed to carve out a few half-chances in the closing stages. One close-range effort found the back of the net but was ruled offside, while another goal-bound header was cleared off the line in dramatic fashion.
Wydad, however, showed their pedigree and composure, defending resolutely and using game management tactics to see out the narrow win.
Coach Zito Remains Optimistic Ahead of Second Leg
Speaking after the final whistle, Kotoko head coach Karim Zito remained defiant despite the setback. “The situation we find ourselves in is difficult but it isn’t impossible to come back. There’s still the second leg left to play,” he said.
Kotoko will now travel to Morocco for the return leg on October 24, needing to overturn the one-goal deficit to book their place in the group stages of the 2025 CAF Confederation Cup.
