Asante Kotoko of Ghana will be satisfied as they earned themselves a goalless draw against Kenya’s Kariobangi Sharks in a 2018 CAF Confederation Cup first round first-leg match at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Porcupines Warriors will host Sharks in the second-leg game which will be played at the Babayara Stadium next Saturday.
Sharks came out strong at the start of the game, but Kotoko were able to hold their nerve and sustain the pressure.
Emmanuel Gyamfi pulled off a shot after neat play, but it went wide in the 10th minute. It then led Martin Antwi to get goal-side later on, but he failed to put them in front with the goal at his mercy.
Another big chance came Kotoko’s way after Naby Keita but he could only send Ganiye’s in-swinging delivery inches wide at the half an hour mark.
The Porcupine Warriors were struggling to penetrate the visitors’ backline, while Maxwell Baakoh was tightly marked by the defense.
At the other end, James Mazembe tried to beat Felix Annan with a shot from outside the box with four minutes left before halftime.
However, the Ghanaian international denied the Sharks striker and the score was 0-0 at the half time break.
Harrison Mwendwa should have put Sharks into the lead four minutes after the restart, but he failed to score with only the keeper to beat.
With his side struggling to create chances, Kotoko coach Akunnor rested Malian Naby Keita for Burkinabe Songne Yacouba at the 61st minute as Sharks reacted by throwing into the fray Henry Juma in place of James Mazembe seven minutes later.
However, it was Sharks who looked dangerous when pushing forward towards the end of the encounter.
George Abege unleashed a well-taken shot in the 79th minute, but his effort was tipped over the crossbar by Annan.
Kotoko tried to push for a late goal, but Sharks stood firm in the closing stages and the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
How they lined up:
Asante Kotoko Starting XI: Felix Annan, Amos Frimpong, Augustine Sefah, Agyemang Badu, Richard Senanu, Jordan Opoku, Maxwell Baakoh, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Naby Keita, Martin Antwi, Abdul Ganiye
Subs: Umar Bashiru, Daniel Nii Adjei, EvansOwusu Frederick Boateng Songne Yacouba Muntari Tagoe, Wahab Adams
Kariobangi Sharks Starting XI: : Brian Bwire, Michael Bodo, Tom Teka, Geofrey Shiveka, Nixon Omondi, Patillah Omotto, Duke Abuya, Vincent Wasambo, Harrison Mwendwa, George Abege, James Mazembe
Subs: Gad Matthew, Fidel Origa, Chol Kuol, Yidah Sven Yidah, Alvin Mangeni, Moses Mwangi, Henry Juma.
