Kotoko Succumb To Dolphins

Nigerian campaigners in the CAF Confederation Cup, Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt stung Kumasi Asante Kotoko by two goals to nil on Sunday to make a strong case of making it past the fourth round of the competition. Dolphins, at home at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar won the first leg encounter with goals from each half to put Kotoko in a cagey situation of having to overturn the tide with at least three unanswered goals in two weeks. Kotoko should have scored in the first minute but Chijioke Ejiogu saved a shot from twenty yards out. Thereafter, Dolphins took control of proceedings with Kola Anubi, Daddy Maurice, Alhassane Dosso and Yakubu Akeem taking total control of the midfield but Owazuoke Wobo and Prince Nnake failed to score. However, Dolphins took the lead on 40 minutes when Akeem ran all the way down the wing and laid on a pass for Wobo, who stylishly back heeled the ball past Souleyman Ahmadu to open the score. In the second half Kotoko continued to hold back and made a few forays, especially with Eric Bekoe causing trouble for the Dolphins defence but found it difficult to get past Samaila Suleiman and Emma Godwin. With three minutes to go substitute Bola Bello ran down the wing and laid on a pass for Prince Nnake who hammered the ball past Souleymane to score. Before then, Wobo had his effort go off the upright and Eric Bekoe also went close but failed to score. Four Kotoko players were yellow carded; Osei Kwame Jnr., 15th, Dan Acquah 55th, Daniel Nii Adjei 62nd and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour 89th.