Asante Kotoko threw away a lead to lose 2-1 at home to ES Sétif in the first leg of their 2020/21 Caf Confederation Cup group stage playoffs Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors took the lead through Kwame Opoku, but conceded twice in six minutes and could not pull back a goal despite being awarded a late penalty at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Sétif came battling and looked slightly the stronger side in the first half of the game.
Kotoko returned to the second half sharper and kept pressing the visitors.
As the game wore on, captain Emmanuel Gyamfi managed to set up Kwame Opoku to score the opening goal in the 69th minute.
But the pendulum soon swung in the visitors’ favour. Kotoko got punished for taking their foot off the gas pedal a bit after taking the lead.
Substitute Mohamed Amoura powered home a header from close range to draw Sétif level in the 74th minute.
The Algerians then took the lead six minutes later through Kendouchi Ahmed.
Kotoko had an opportunity to salvage the game with a penalty in the 86th minute but Naby Keita saw his effort tipped over for a corner kick by the Sétif goalkeeper.
After a 2-1 spirited comeback victory, ES Sétif return home to host Kotoko in the second leg at Stade 9 Mai 1945 next Sunday.
