ES Setif End Asante Kotoko’s CAF Confederation Cup Dream

The ambitious dream of engraving a third star on the Asante Kotokocrest ended after suffering a 2-1 aggregate loss to ES Setif.

At the Stade 8 Mai 1945 on Sunday, Kotoko failed to get the back of the net as they as they were held to a goalless draw.

Kotoko enjoyed the first scoring chances, with Naby Keita shooting just wide of the mark in the 13th minute, while Latif Anabila arrived late to strike a low shot on goal a short while later but was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Khedairia.

E S Setif threatened the opener following the half-hour mark, but solid defending from the Ghanaian champions put Algerians the well off guard.

Kotoko responded in the final minute of the half when Fabio Gama went through one-on-one for the opener, but Setif shot-stopper Khedairia was on hand to make the save.

Emmanuel Gyamfi cautioned the Algerians earlier in the second period after dancing through the defence, but his shot was met by a towering defence.

A double substitution from the Porcupine following the 60th minute saw Samuel Frimpong and Godfrey Asimiah enter for Gama and Naby Keita as Abdul Gazale looked to snatch a winner.

The changes from Gazale put the Algerian heavyweights under further pressure, as Ibrahim Imoro thumped in a powerful shot from range which sailed agonizingly wide in the final 14 minutes.

The Porcupine Warriors pushed and pushed towards the opener, but were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in North Africa, a result that ended their Confederation Cup dream.