MC EULMA DUMPS KOTOKO IN KUMASI

06 April 2015 10:43

Asante Kotoko , Ghana’s sole representative in the CAF Champions League crashed out of the competition  following a 2-1 defeat to Algerian side,  El Eulma at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.

         

Kotoko, counting on Eulma’s recent poor form in their previous four outings succumb to the visitors despite going ahead first in the match the homers needed to avoid a scoreless draw to advance.

       

After three successive losses in the Algerian league, Kotoko despite their poor run locally had the advantage going into the match following a goalless results in a first leg fixture a fortnight ago.

        

With the Baba Yara Stadium packed to capacity, the host cheered unstoppably after  defender Khaled Bouzama gave way to Mokhtar Belhkiter through an injury from a successive Kotoko invasion in the 12th minute.

       

Kotoko, two-time winners built on the euphoria with  stadium going gaga when striker Obed Owusu  sent the home team ahead  with five minutes to end the first half, capitalising on miscommunication between goalkeeper Mohammed Ouserir and his back line.

        

Returning from recess with their noses in front, Kotoko took complete charge of affairs and soon Ivorian-import Ahmed Toure hit a piledriver which drew Ouserir out to pull a save to keep the visitors in the game..

     

Against the run of play, Eulma’s pulled parity a minute after the hour mark through Walid  Darradja to send the stadium dead silent.

       

With their backs against the wall, Kotoko pushed for an extra goal which could have guaranteed passage and in the 75 minutes, Kotoko’s appeal for a penalty  after  Sarfo Gyamfi  went down in opponent’s territory was flatly ignored.

       

Gyamfi came close to scoring in 90 minutes only  to miss by a whisker. The visitors took over from  then and with six minutes of time added, Fares Hemitti wrapped up victory for  Eulma with just a minute to end proceedings.

 

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