Asante Kotoko failed to maintain their winning home record in the 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup with a late fightback to draw 1-1 at home with Al-Hilal in Kumasi on Sunday.
📽 HIGHLIGHTS .. Asante 1-1 Al Hilal .. Matchday 5
📽 HIGHLIGHTS .. Asanate Kotoko 1-1 Al HilalMatchday 5 #TotalCAFCCشاهد ملخص مباراة .. اسانتي كوتوكو 1-1 الهلال السودانيالجولة الخامسة – كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية 2019
Posted by Total CAF Champions League & Confederation Cup on Sunday, March 10, 2019
The Porcupine Warriors conceded in the first half through Waleed Bakhet Hamid’s powerful header on the 32nd minute.
From kickoff, the Blue Devils controlled Kotoko’s game in the early minutes of the encounter, having the Porcupines’ stupendous last two duels against Zesco United and Nkana in mind.
Despite Hilal’s resilience in defence, Kotoko came close on two occasions via Martin Antwi’s strike and Emmanuel Gyamfi’s empty net miss.
The Reds then came in stronger in the second half of the contest, creating chances but Nabil Kouki’s defensive line was impressive.
The away side closed down several spaces, forcing Kotoko to possess mostly at the back.
As the game drew to its closure, Abdul Fatawu Safiu’s three free kicks gave Kotoko fans a little hope. The forward had one struck the bar, his second finding the lower goalpost and his third causing no harm as goalie Jamal Salim had it saved.
Kotoko had to then rely on Songne Yacouba’s 85th minute header from Emmanuel Gyamfi’s cross to draw parity.
Kotoko did enough to force another goal but the Sudanese side held on picking a point at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Al-Hilal drop to second in Group C with 8 points while Kotoko, who will travel to Ndola to play ZESCO United in the final game, sit third on 7 points. Nkana, who claimed an emphatic 3-0 home victory against ZESCO United lead Group C with 9 points.
