Wydad AC Beat Kotoko In The Crucial CAF Confederation Cup..

On Sunday, October 19, Asante Kotoko of Ghana were defeated by Wydad AC in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup in Accra.

The Ghanaian giants lost to the Moroccan superpower Wydad Athletic Club (Wydad AC) by a slim margin of 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup playoff match at the Accra Sports Stadium in a fiercely contested match.

Wydad won the crucial away game that started at 3:00 PM UTC, giving them a small advantage going into the rematch in Casablanca on October 24.

Joseph Bakasu, a 22-year-old Congolese midfielder for Wydad, broke the scoreless draw shortly after halftime by taking advantage of a quick counterattack in the 47th minute.

Thembinkosi Lorch, a South African great who began the game and displayed his international talent, provided a precise assist that set up the goal. Early in the second half, Bakasu’s exquisite finish from the edge of the box startled the home team by beating Kotoko’s goalie.

In the first half, Kotoko controlled the ball (around 58%) and created a number of clear-cut opportunities, including attempts by strikers who put Wydad’s defense to the test but were unable to score. The clean sheet was maintained at halftime thanks to a goal-line clearing and some deft goalkeeping by Wydad’s Ayoub Laknaouich.

Kotoko made a valiant effort to score in the second half, but Wydad’s well-organized defense, led by seasoned players like Jamal Harkass, held strong. In the 82nd minute, Kotoko had their best late opportunity when a header was cleared off the line, but it was insufficient to tie the score.

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Kotoko coach Abdul Karim Zito expressed frustration over missed opportunities, noting his side “should have been ahead at halftime” but praised Wydad’s resilience:

“They’re a top African side, and that goal changed everything. We need to score twice in Morocco now.”

Wydad’s Rhulani Mokwena, in his first competitive outing back in African club football after the FIFA Club World Cup, highlighted the importance of the away goal rule:

“This is just the start—Casablanca will be our fortress.”

For Kotoko supporters, the defeat brings back sad memories of their heartbreaking defeat to Wydad in the 2002 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup final (lost on away goals after a 2-1 home win). Although Kotoko has a solid record against North African teams—they have gone undefeated in 90 minutes in their last five encounters with Wydad—this outcome gives the visitors the advantage.

What’s Next?

Second Leg: Wydad AC vs. Asante Kotoko – Friday, October 24, 2025, at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca (7:00 PM UTC).

The winner advances to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. Kotoko will need an upset to overturn the deficit, drawing on their strong away win over Nigeria’s Kwara United (1-0) in the previous round.