Jubilation as Kotoko advance

Al Mahala (Egy) 4-2 Asante Kotoko (Gha)
Kotoko win 5-4 on aggregate

The Ghanaian city of Kumasi erupted into celebrations last night after Asante Kotoko booked a place in the semi-finals of the African Cup Winners Cup for the first time in the club's history.

Fans partied all night at bus parks and in the major streets of the city in a dramatic and tense match.

Despite losing to the Egyptian side Al Mahala, Kotoko went through on the strength of their win in Kumasi two weeks earlier.

Ghanaians lost their 3-0 first-leg advantage early in the second-half.

Debut win

But striker Michael Osei and substitute Kwadjo Poku scored a goal each to make sure of Kotoko's place in the last four.

The victory marks a debut success for the club's new German coach Ralf Zumdich.

Zumdich has replaced Scotsman Ian Porterfield who was dismissed earlier this month.

Kotoko become only the third Ghanaian club to reach this stage of the Cup Winners competition.

Sekondi Hasaacas and Hearts of Oak lost in the semi-finals in 1981 and 1982 respectively.

Kotoko now face AS Police of Congo in the semi-finals scheduled for early next month.