Asante Kotoko beat Rail Club du Kadiogo1-0 in a CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg clash at Stade de L’amitie Kerekou in Benin on Monday afternoon.
Midfielder Isaac Opong struck the only goal of the game in the 89th minute to hand the Ghanaian side a considerable advantage heading into the second-leg this weekend.
The Burkinabes enjoyed a bright start, with Douda Sibide forcing Ibrahim Danlad into an early save before Sidiki Traore saw his header clip the crossbar from a corner-kick.
Kadiogo continued to play on the front foot, with Sibide a constant threat. The Burkinabe marksman hit his effort wide after being set up by Dramane Kambou on the half-hour mark.
Asante Kotoko found their rhythm as the half grew to an end and almost found the opener two minutes before the break.
Abdoul Colibaly had to pull off a fine save to deny Ugandan striker Stephen Mukwala as the visitors continued to search for the opening goal.
However, Kadiogo’s captain Coulibaly and his troops were able to contain Kotoko until the match referee blew the half-time whistle.
The score was 0-0 at the interval following a lively first half in Porto-Novo.
Kadiogo came back strong and had the first real chance on goal in the 54th minute with Addam Barro trying his luck from long range, but Danlad produced a great acrobatic save to deny him.
Sibide was soon joined by Adama Ouedraogo upfront as Ousmane Coulibaly side looked to break the deadlock.
However, the momentum was with Asante Kotoko in the closing stages of the encounter following the introduction of attacker Samuel Boateng.
Isaac Boateng was rewarded for his determination in the 90th minute as he netted the winner with a powerful shot past Kadiogo custodian.
