ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast beat Ghanaian side Aduana Stars 1-0 in their opening Group A match of the 2018 Caf Confederations Cup played on Sunday 6 May 2018 at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan.

Former Asante Kotoko and Bechem United forward, Ahmed Toure struck in the 39th minute through a beautiful header having connected a cross from Alex Andandji.

Apart from the goal first 45 minutes was not a half of pretty football, but instead one that underlined the toughness and not too often seen viciousness of the previous continental group stages game.

Before the half was out we would see four yellow cards and one straight dismissal in a stanza characterised by hard-tackling and never say die attitudes from both teams.

The battle in the midfield raged on as both sides tried to take control of the game, but neither could really gain the ascendancy which resulted in a scrappy affair and some miss-timed tackles.

Consequently, decent chances on goal were few and far between, but Sam Adams should really haven given Aduana the lead in the 13th minute.

Aduana’ only real chance of the first half came when Anorkye Badu’s free kick forced Karim Cisse to make a characteristically flamboyant save.

Mimosas went narrowly close for the second goal through Amed Toure shortly after the break but was guilty of overelaboration as he did not take shots when he could.

Aduana Stars tried to get back into the game but they wasted all the opportunities they had especially in the second half including one from close-range in the 85th minute.

After that, however, it was a case of throwing all 10 men behind the ball as Mimosas tried to protect their lead while weathering attack after attack from Aduana.

The loss leaves Aduana Stars on zero points ahead of the second round of the group games where they will face Raja Casablanca at the Dormaa Park.