Ghana’s two representatives in this season’s CAF interclub competitions had contrasting outcomes on Sunday, with Asante Kotoko advancing in the Confederation Cup while Bibiani Goldstars suffered a heavy defeat to bow out of the Champions League.
In Ilorin, Nigeria, Kotoko completed their mission with a professional 1-0 victory over Kwara United in the second leg of their Confederation Cup preliminary round tie.
After the first-leg fireworks that ended 4-3 in Accra, the return meeting was a tighter affair.
The Porcupine Warriors found the breakthrough nine minutes after half-time when Hubert Gyau’s low driving shot slipped past the Kwara goalkeeper.
From there, Kotoko kept their composure, defending stoutly against late Nigerian pressure to seal a 5-3 aggregate triumph.
The Ghanaian giants now move into the final preliminary round, where they will face Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca - the first leg scheduled for October 18 in Ghana, with the return in Morocco on October 25.
In stark contrast, Ghana Premier League champions Bibiani Goldstars endured a torrid night in Algeria as they were thumped 5-0 by JS Kabylie in their Champions League second-leg clash.
Already trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Accra, any hopes of a comeback evaporated within seven minutes when Emmanuel Kobi diverted the ball into his own net.
Ryad Boudebouz doubled Kabylie’s advantage just before the break, and things unravelled further after the restart when Emmanuel Ankrah was shown a straight red card to leave the visitors a man down.
Kabylie ruthlessly capitalised, with Mehdi Merghem, Lahlou Akhrib and Oualid Malki all finding the net to complete a comprehensive 7-0 aggregate victory.
For Goldstars, the heavy defeat marked the end of their maiden African campaign, with focus now shifting back to defending their domestic crown.
Kotoko, however, for now carry Ghana’s flag forward in continental competition, setting up a mouth-watering clash with one of North Africa’s finest in Wydad Casablanca.
