Asante Kotoko recorded their first win in the Caf Confederation Cup group stage against ten-man Zesco United on Wednesday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to revive their Group C campaign.
The Porcupine Warriors bounced back to winnning ways with a 2-1 win over the Zambian giants at home to claim all three points.
The Reds started the match very aggressive with some quick-passing play and took the lead through Kwame Bonsu’s strike on the 9th minute of game to get the vociferous home fans on their feet.
His long-range effort took a ricochet off teammate Abdul Fatawu Safiu to beat the Zesco United goalkeeper Jacob Banda.
Zesco were afforded an opportunity to draw level after earning a penalty in the 23rd minute but goalkeeper Felix Annan palmed Jesse Jackson’s effort out.
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was penalised for a double-footed tackle on Lazarus Kambole inside the box.
Just before the half hour mark, winger Emmanuel Gyamfi doubled Kotoko’s lead after connecting home Yacouba’s prosaic low pass with the outside of his boot from the left.
Zesco made early substitution in the 39th minute in a tactical switch when Enock Sabumukama replaced Clement Mwape.
After the recess, Yacouba was gifted a chance to score but he shot into goalkeeper Banda’s arm.
Ghanaian striker Rahim Osmanu came on from the bench to pull one back for the Zambian champions in the 72nd minute.
He slotted in between the two Kotoko centre backs and headed pass an on-rushing Annan.
Ten minutes away from time, Maxwell Baakoh shot from outside the box but Banda was up to the task to parry it out.
In the 85th minute, Annan pulled a great save to put Rahim Osmanu's blistering header on a corner kick out.
Two minutes from time, Bonsu was denied a personal brace second and Kotoko's third when his header came off the side post.
This was after Baakoh's shot was parried back into play.
Zesco United ended the match with ten men when Kondwani Mtonga received a straight red for a silly tackle- deliberately stepping-on substitute Stephen Nyarko.