Asante Kotoko defeated Nigerian side Kano Pillars 2-0 in the second leg of this year’s CAF Champions League preliminary round fixture at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The two clubs locked horns on Saturday afternoon in Kumasi in a bid to oust the other to secure progression to the next phase of the top-tier inter-club competition organized by the continent’s football governing body.
Prior to the fixture, Kano Pillars had already won the first leg 3-2 and had a slight advantage over the Ghanaian side.
At the end of an edgy second leg encounter, however, it is the Porcupine Warriors that has triumphed by eliminating their opponent from Kano.
A good start to the match saw the home side taking the lead just 3 minutes into the first half. Summer signing Kelvin Andoh reacted quickest in the 18-yard box of Kano Pillars to slot home the opening goal of the match after Richard Arthur’s shot had been parried by goalkeeper Suraji Ayeleso.
Coach Kjetil Zachariassen’s men continued to dominate the Nigerian club but failed to scored again before going into the half-time break.
Kotoko resumed the second half in the same fashion and made sure they dictated the pace of the match. They finally scored their insurance goal on the 79th minute through Emmanuel Gyamfi.
The pacey winger latched onto a chested pass from striker Naby Keita and fired home from close range.
The result sees Kotoko progressing into the next phase of the CAF Champions League after emerging as 4-3 aggregate winners.
