Kotoko, Sharks share the spoil in CAF Confederation Cup clash

ruth

December 15, 2018 2:45 PM

Asante Kotoko held Kariobangi Sharks to a goalless draw in the Caf Confederation Cup first round first leg encounter at the Moi International Sports Centre

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Sharks will need either a win of any kind or scoring draw in the reverse fixture next Saturday to proceed to the playoff against losers from the Caf Champions league first round.

The match got off to a slow start as both sets of players took time to settle in the game.

After 13 minutes, Sharks, who were controlling possession and territory, had the first sniff at goal through Duke Abuya whose feeble shot from outside 18 was easily gathered by Kotoko custodian Felix Annan.

A minute later, Vincent Wasambo floated a long ball into the box searching for George Abege but Kotoko defender Abdul Gamiyu unexpectedly deflected it towards goal before goalkeeper Annan came out to rescue what could’ve been a comic own goal.

Kotoko were patiently probing for a way through and nearly found the back of the net on 35 minutes through Abdul Gamiyu whose header from a Martin Antwi pass was collected by an alert Brian Bwire in Sharks goal.

On 36 minutes, Agyemang Badu was forced to clear off the line James Mazembe’s attempt from an Abege flick inside the box after Harrison Mwendwa's lovely delivery from the right flank.

Four minutes to the break, Martin Antwi’s looping header from an Emmanuel Gyamfi cross veered off the target much to the chagrin of Kotoko coach Charles Akunnor.

Kotoko coach Akunnor rested Malian Naby Keita for Burkinabe Songne Yacouba on 57 minutes as Sharks reacted by throwing into the fray Henry Juma in place of James Mazembe seven minutes later.

On 71 minutes, Maxwell Banko was fed by Richard Senanu and did well to beat his marker for pace but his delivery from the left was deflected out for a fruitless corner by Nixon Omondi.

Sharks were undone by inability to split penetrative passes through a watertight Kotoko defence led by Ghanaian international centre-back Agyemang Badu.

The introduction of Moses Mwangi for Vincent Wasambo on 79 minutes seemed to have brought life in Sharks’ pursuit to break the deadlock but to no avail.

Substitute Yacouba had a chance to gift the visitors a vital away goal at the death but his diving header from Banko's cross was cleared by the Sharks backline.

CREDIT: nation.co.ke

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