Kotoko Through to next round of Champions League

...Berekum Arsenal also make it
Obuasi, April 2, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday qualified to the next stage of the CAF Champions League when they beat visiting Ferroviario du Maputo of Mozambique 2-1 in their second leg match at the Obuasi Len Clay sports stadium.

Kotoko had to come from a goal deficit to clinch the victory after drawing goalless in their first match at Maputo two weeks ago. Charles Taylor who played a great game nearly shot Kotoko ahead under the first minute when he jumped artistically to kick the ball over the head of onrushing goalkeeper Rodrigo Alexander Gulube but the ball went over the bar and in a collision the keeper was injured in the process and was replaced by Manuel Jose Miguel Oliveira.

Captain Carlos Damao Parruque of Ferroviaro sent shock waves through the fully packed and vociferous Kotoko fans in the stadium with a terrific shot that went off - target.

The Mozambicans paid dearly for their delay tactics when referee Mandziou Kouta Joseph from Congo showed the first yellow card to Celcisio Bonifacio.

The visitors continued to scare the home side when in the 18th minute, Jeremias Jorge Sitoe nearly shot his side ahead with a beautiful kick but Eric Nii Baah in goal for Kotoko was on target to save the situation.

After succeeding in gaining the upper hand, the visitors kept harassing the defence of Kotoko and a minute later the homesters resolve caved when Jose Joaquim Machie scored the opener.

The goal set pulled Kotoko out of their slumber and they quickly went on the war path earning two corner kicks on the trot.

It therefore came as no surprise when in the 28th minute, Aziz Ansah cancelled the deficit by connecting home from a classic corner kick taken by enterprising Charles Taylor.

The Mozambicans who seemed not bothered by the equaliser exhibited good football to the admiration of the fans but it was still Kotoko who kept probing for more goals but on numerous occasions they wasted the corner kicks that came their way to end the first half. Kotoko resumed the second half more aggressively with the knowledge that the one all score line was not in their favour but as usual threw away a free kick they earned.

The home side got a free kick in the 52nd minute at the left flank near the torch line through Charles Taylor and the resultant kick created a goal mouth melee which saw Shilla Illiasu, Kotoko's dependable defender captalizing on to put Kotoko ahead.

A minute later, the Congolese referee punished the Mozambicans when he red carded Celcisio Bonifacio for dissent.

Ferriviario brought on Jose Baptista for Lumbombo Musungu and in the 61st minute Humberto Fredrico Jane set the stadium alight with a long drive that went off target.

Kotoko also brought on George Yamoah and Ahmed Toure for Edmond Owusu Ansah and Nana Arhin Duah whiles the Mozambicans replaced Jose Joaquim Machie with Sergio Armando Nuvunga.

Kotoko continued to mount pressure on the visitors as the game progressed but the Mozambicans refused to bulge as they changed their delay tactics with quick movement and counter-attacks in search for the equalizer in an effort to get the ticket to the next stage of the competition but try as they did they could not change the goal line till the final whistle.

Line Up. Kotoko: Eric Nii Baah Aziz Ansah Godfred Yeboah Illiasu Shilla Alhassan Michael Asante Yusif Alhassan Chibsah Edmond Owusu Ansah / George Yamoah Nana Arhin Duah / Ahmed Toure Charles Taylor Douglas Nkrumah / Kobina Dodzie Daniel Acquah.

Meanwhile, Berekum Arsenal also qualified to the next stage of the Confederation Cup competition.
The Berekum side, making their continental debut beat Congolese club, Diables Noirs 1-0 at the Sunyani Coronation Park.
With the scoreline 2-2 on aggregate, Arsenal thus advance via the away goal rule after losing 2-1 a fortnight ago in the first leg.
Ibrahim Yahaya got the match winner for Arsenal in the second half.