Nigeria’s Kwara United began their CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a narrow 4-3 loss to Ghana’s Asante Kotoko in a thrilling first-leg encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
Kotoko opened the scoring in the 19th minute through a stunning long-range effort from Emmanuel Antwi, but Johnmark Atule levelled for Kwara in the 34th minute.
Albert Amoah restored the hosts’ lead just before halftime, only for Atule to restore parity once again, making it 2-2 at the break.
In the second half, Joseph Ablorh put Kotoko ahead once more, before Amoah completed his brace from the penalty spot in the 68th minute following a foul on Patrick Asiedu.
Kwara kept the contest alive with a late goal from Abdulraheem Shola in the 88th minute, ensuring the tie remains finely poised ahead of the second leg.
The visitors will look to overturn the one-goal deficit in the return leg scheduled for 28 September in Nigeria. The aggregate winner will face Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club in the next round.
Meanwhile, Abia Warriors were held to a 1-1 draw by Malian side Djoliba at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Nigerian’s appeared on course for a vital first-leg win when Chukwuemeka Obioma put them ahead, but Djoliba struck late to snatch a crucial equaliser, earning a valuable away goal in the process.
The result gives the Malian outfit a slight edge heading into the return leg in Bamako, where Abia Warriors will need a strong performance to advance.
