The Porcupine Warriors secured a seven-goal thriller win against Kwara United in the first-leg tie of the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.
Ghana Premier League heavyweights Asante Kotoko managed to record a 4-3 home victory over the Nigerian side in the crunchy encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Asante Kotoko looked dangerous in the early minutes, and their dominant performance paid off in the 20th minute when Emmanuel Antwi opened the scoring through a low cross delivered by Amoah into the box.
However, a defensive blunder resulted in Aule Johnmark levelling the score for Kwara United in the 35th minute of the game.
Asante Kotoko regained possession to restore their lead on the stroke of halftime through a perfect volley from two-goal hero Albert Amoah.
The jubilant mood of the Ghanaians was short-lived when Kwara United responded with a cool finish deep in stoppage time from Aule Johnmark, which was his second goal in the game.
After a pulsating 2-2 draw at the break, Coach Karim Zito's side warmed themselves into the fixture with a different strategy in the second half, with Joseph Ablorh restoring the lead just after two minutes.
Centre-back Ablorh grabbed the third goal for Asante Kotoko after heading in from Peter Amidu Acquah’s cross in the 47th minute.
Amoah then converted from the spot to give Kotoko a 4-2 cushion after Patrick Asiedu was brought down in the box.
Despite being two goals down, Kwara United remained resolute, pushing to reduce the deficit before the final whistle, and they were rewarded with a third in the 88th minute when Shola Abdulraheem pounced on a rebound to end the match at 4-3 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Asante Kotoko pushed for a late goal in stoppage time, but their efforts to extend their lead were futile, leaving the tie delicately poised ahead of the decisive reverse leg in Nigeria next weekend.
