African Champions League: Kotoko Fall At Home To Al Hilal

A wasteful Asante Kotoko on Wednesday evening lost by a solitary goal to visiting Al-Hilal Omdurman in a CAF Champions League first leg match played at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Vinny Bongonga Kombe scored the superb solo goal in the 77th minute to lead his side to victory.

He capitalised on a series of defensive blunders by the Porcupine Warriors defence to slot home a loose ball from inside the box.

Kotoko started the better of the two sides and had their first shot on goal in the 12th minute when Christopher Nettey let fly from long range, but his effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

In the 18th minute, Al Hilal pushed forward through Mohammed Yussif who saw his low shot from 30 yards out turned round the corner by Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abalora in the 36th minute.

Kotoko were quick out of the blocks after the break and they nearly took lead two minutes after the restart with a long-range strike by Gyamfi , but Al Hilal custodian went across the bottom-corner to parry.

Al Hilal continued to live on the edge closer to the hour mark from a close-range attempt from Abdul Ganiyu from a corner-kick cannoned off the upright.

The Sudanese secured the lead on the 77^th minute after Bongonga ran onto a solid supply before bustling the back of the net.

Kotoko tried to find their way back into the game and came close in the 83rd minute, but Wahab Adams saw his stinging effort well saved by Hilal’s keeper.

The second leg will take place in Sudan in two weeks time where the aggregate winners will book a place in the group stages of the lucrative club competition.