Kotoko line -up
KUMASI ASANTE Kotoko scored in each half to beat visiting Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia 2-0 in the first leg of the African Champions League eliminator at Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.
Kotoko broke deadlock in the second minute through a sublime free-kick from Augustine Okrah, who later struck the post with a bullet before Richard Arthur increased Kotoko’s tally after the break.
Étoile Du Sahel, who approached the game with a plan to frustrate Kotoko, were seemed to be pleased with the 2-0 defeat, as they resorted to time wasting for most part of the crunch contest.
Kotoko started the game brightly as their early pressure forced their opponents to commit a foul, right after the penalty box. The resultant free-kick was beautifully curled into the yawning net by Augustine Okrah.
In the 36th minute, Augustine Okrah, who was slippery, eased through a forest of legs and unleashed a thunderbolt, which beat the Étoile keeper but the ball eventually struck the post to safety.
The Tunisians then adopted time wasting and feigning of injuries to kill time and frustrate Kotoko, but the home team managed to increase their tally after Richard Arthur’s effort at close range, a few minutes after the interval.
Later on, Kotoko replaced Arthur with darling boy, Sogne Yacouba, but the Burkinabe import did little to impress the expectant home crowd as he looked rusty after several months of inaction.
The second leg would be played in Tunisia in two weeks’ time.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.,
Kumasi