Continental campaigns: Kotoko show class, Gold Stars crash out
Asante Kotoko kept Ghana’s flag flying on the continent with a gritty 1-0 win over Nigeria’s Kwara United in Abeokuta yesterday, sealing a 5-3 aggregate triumph to advance in the CAF Confederation Cup.
But while the Porcupine Warriors celebrated progress, Bibiani Gold Stars endured a nightmare in Algeria, crashing out of the CAF Champions League after a chastening 5-0 defeat to JS Kabylie at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium.
Coupled with their 0-2 home loss in Accra last week, the Ghanaian champions exited 0-7 on aggregate at the first hurdle — a brutal introduction to life at Africa’s top table.
In Nigeria, the Porcupine Warriors showed class. Carrying a slender 4-3 advantage from their thrilling first-leg victory in Accra, Kotoko approached the return fixture at the Moshood Abiola Stadium with caution, wary of Kwara’s threat on home soil. The Nigerians pressed early, but the Ghanaian side stayed compact and resilient.
Kotoko carved out the first clear opening after 20 minutes, when Lord Amoah’s long throw was flicked on by Morifing Donzo to Albert Amoah, who narrowly fired over. Kwara almost struck back in the 33rd minute from a dangerous free kick, but wasted the opportunity.
Coach Abdul Karim Zito’s second-half substitutions proved decisive, injecting fresh energy into midfield. Kotoko gradually seized control, and their persistence bore fruit in the 64th minute. Hubert Gyau capitalised on a defensive blunder to smash a low drive into the corner, stunning the home crowd and putting the tie beyond doubt.
The result underlined Kotoko’s continental pedigree, with the two-time African champions now eyeing tougher tests in the next round.
Gold Stars humbled in Algeria
For Gold Stars, however, it was a harsh lesson. Travelling to Tizi Ouzou with a two-goal deficit, the Miners were blown away by a rampant JS Kabylie, who ran riot to complete a 7-0 aggregate rout.
The Algerians’ pace and precision proved too much for the debutants, who struggled to contain the relentless waves of attack.
The heavy defeat leaves Gold Stars, who sacked head coach Stephen Frimpong Manso after their first leg defeat, with much to reflect on after their first Champions League adventure, while Kotoko’s progress ensures Ghanaian interest in continental competition continues.
