Porcupine Warriors: Fantastic Fabulous

Asante Kotoko is through to the group stage of the Confederation Cup after a 4-3 aggregate win over Al-Ittihad. The Porcupine Warriors beat the Libyans 3-1 in their fourth round, second-leg match at the Baba Yara Stadium stadium in Kumasi. Kotoko playing with three key players, captain Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Harrison Afful, and Samuel Inkoom were still much superior to their opponents, who had a goal disallowed in the first half. But a brace by Eric Bekoe and another by Jordan Opoku ensured the Porcupine Warriors overcame a 1-2 deficit in the first leg in Tripoli to make the group stage of the competition. Eric Bekoe’s first half strike ensured the Kotoko went into the break 1-0 up. Then in the second half, the Porcupine Warriors doubled their lead after a beautifully worked move from the left found Jordan Opoku in space to drive in a ground into the far post for the second goal. However, Al Ittihad never gave up, and they managed to pull a goal back through substitute Pamipere Coulibaly when he headed in powerfully past Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Soulama. The goal handed the Libyans lifeline as they stayed in contention of a place in the group stage but Kotoko responded well and made it 3-1. A shot at goal by Jordan Opoku was blocked by an Ittihad player in the box with his hand. And Eric Bekoe stepped up to score from the spot kick as the two-time African Champions made it to the mini-league stage of the Confederation Cup. This would be Asante Kotoko's second time of playing in the group stage of the Confederation Cup after qualifying to the last eight during the maiden edition of the competition in 2004.