Kumasi Kumasi Asante Kotoko infront of a large crowd at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium were beaten two goals to one by MC El Eulma from Algeria to see them off the CAF Champions League
Fares Hamitti added time goal secured his side a 2-1 win over the Ghana champions at their own backyard in the second leg of the CAF Champions League to see them through to the next stage of the competition.
The first leg in Algeria three weeks ago ended goalless draw, so the Algerian outfit have qualified 2-1 on aggregate.
Obed Owusu broke the deadlock in the 39 minute, but Derrardja got the equalizer in the 59 minute, before Fares Hemitti’s goal silenced Kotoko.
Kotoko dictated the pace of the game in the first 20 minutes and created some descent chances. Michael Akuffu’s 10 minute long range shot was saved by goalkeeper Oussir to give the Algegrian side a sigh of relief.
Akuffu again had his free kick missed the goal post by some few inches. The Porcupine Warriors registered the first freekick of the game, however a dangerous one from Richard Mpong was saved by the Algerian goalkeeper.
Kotoko although enjoyed most of the possession within the first 30 minutes of play, the link between the midfield and attack was lacking.
It came as a surprise when miscommunication between Oussir and Maiza enabled Obed Owusu to snatch the match opener in the 38th minute.
Eul Eulma came into the party afterwards and swung passes together to threaten Kotoko's defence for a while.
Kotoko just some few minutes into the second half created two opportunities in an attempt to increase their goal tally, but Ahmed Toure’s solo move into the 18 yard box which was finally connected into the back of the net by Mpong was ruled offside by one of the assistant referees.
Kotoko effected the first substitution of the game by bringing on Frank Sarfo Gyamfi to replace Richard Mopong in the 53 minute.
El Eulma afterwards seized play and started dictating play, so it didn’t come as a surprise, when their danger man and leading top scorer stunned Kotoko with a magnificent goal from some few metres outside the centre circle to bring his side level.
The Ghana champions, following the equalizer by El Eulma threw plenty men upfront in search of the match winner but their toil came to nothing as they couldn’t breach the defence of their opponent.
However, it was rather the Algerian side who capitalised on a counter break to score the match winner through Fares Hemitti in the 90+3 minutes.
The history remains the same, Kotoko have never knocked out an Algerian opposition in any CAF inter club competitions in all 5 attempts.
The Porcupine Warriors in a similar fashion 2 years ago were eliminated from the CAF Champions League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium by Bejaia from Algeria, following a goalless draw in Algeria in the first leg.
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