Asante Kotoko beat ten-man Zesco United 2-1 at home on Wednesday to register their first victory in the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup Group stage.
The Ghanaian side started the match on a highly impressive not with some quick-passing play but struggled along the way.
Kotoko took the lead through midfielder Kwame Bonsu whose long-range effort took a rebound off teammate Abdul Fatawu Safiu to beat the Zesco United lead goalkeeper Jacob Banda.
Burkinabe import Sogne Yacouba had raided the left flank to dribbled the ball past Simon Silwimba before directing a pass to Bonsu inside the penalty box.
Zesco were offered a fine opportunity to restore parity after earning a penalty in the 23rd minute but goalkeeper Felix Annan brilliantly saved Jesse Jackson’s kick.
Defender Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was punished for a reckless tackle on Lazarus Kambole inside the box.
Winger Emmanuel Gyamfi doubled Kotoko’s lead minutes before recess after connecting home Yacouba’s straightforward low pass with the outside of his boot from the left.
Zesco in attempt to make a tactical switch had to go for a first half substitution when they brought on Enock Sabumukama to replace Clement Mwape in the 39th minute.
Yacouba had a glorious chance to score just after break but he calmly shot the ball into goalkeeper Banda’s arm.
Ghanaian striker Rahim Osmanu camed off the bench net the only consolation goal for the Zambian in the 73nd minute.
Felix Annan made a great save to put Rahim Osmanu’s scorching header on a corner kick out.
Kwame Bonsu was denied a personal brace and Kotoko’s third when his header came off the side post in the 88th mark.
Zesco United ended the match with ten men after Kondwani Mtonga had received a straight red crad for a nasty tackle- deliberately stepping-on substitute Stephen Nyarko’s leg.
Asante Kotoko start list against Zesco United:
Felix Annan, Amos Frimpong (c) Augustine Sefah Ismail Ganiu, Agyemang Badu, Richard Senanu, Kwame Bonsu, Abdul Fataw Safiu, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Baakoh Maxwell, Songne Yacouba.
Subs:
Muntari Tagoe, Wahab Adams, Habib Mohammed , Daniel Nii Adjei, Kwame Boahene, Stephen Nyarko, Naby Keita.
