Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco in the second-round first leg of the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, played on Sunday.
A second-half strike from Joseph Bakasu proved decisive, giving the Moroccan side a crucial advantage heading into the return leg.
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Kotoko began the match strongly, controlling possession and creating several early chances. Joseph Ablorh’s header midway through the first half went agonizingly wide, while Peter Amidu came close to opening the scoring in the 35th minute with a curling effort that missed the target.
Wydad, however, finished the first half on a high, as winger Thembinkosi Lorch twice tested Kotoko’s goalkeeper Camara, who produced two brilliant saves to keep the scores level at the break.
The deadlock was broken shortly after the restart when Joseph Bakasu volleyed home from close range in the 48th minute to give Wydad the lead.
Kotoko’s hopes took a major hit when goalkeeper Camara was sent off for handling the ball outside his area, forcing the Ghanaian side to play most of the second half with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Porcupine Warriors continued to press for an equaliser and even had the ball in the back of the net, but Peter Amidu’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Wydad held firm in the closing stages to secure the narrow win.
The second leg, scheduled for next week, will determine which team progresses to the group stage of the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup.
