The Porcupine Warriors tasted first defeat in their pre-season exercise ahead of the 2022/23 season's campaign.
Reigning Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko suffered a 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal of Sudan in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening.
The Sudanese giants jetted off the fixture on a good note as Makabi Lilepo came close to open the score on the 10th minute but newly-signed goalkeeper Moise Pouaty brilliantly fisted it out on the 8th minute of the game.
Asante Kotoko had a lot of defensive duties in the opening exchanges with the attacking trio of Al Hilal spearheaded by Abdul Ajagun.
On the 11th minute, the first opportunity for the Porcupine Warriors fell for Nicholas Mensah but his effort was blocked by Athir Eltaher of Al Hilal.
Al Hilal continued their impressive performance to mount an intense pressure on the Ghanaian side to opened the score on the stroke of halftime.
Senegalese youngster Lamine Jarjou snatched the opener for Al Hilal on the 42nd minute, pushing the first half to a 1-0 win for the Blue Jewels.
In the second half, Al Hilal dominated majority of the game possession to double their lead in the dying embers.
Al Hilal attacker kept tormenting the backline of Asante Kotoko with hopes of getting more goals before the hour-mark but their attempts went futile.
Asante Kotoko coach Seydou Zerbo introduced Ernest Osei Poku, Stephen Amankona and Dickson Afoakwa as replacements for Enoch Morrison, Isaac Oppong and Nicholas Mensah after the hour-mark.
Winger Dickson Afoakwa nearly snatched the leveller for Asante Kotoko with an audacious strike but his effort was denied by the woodwork on the 63rd minute of the game.
Cameroonian striker Steven Dese Mukwala was replaced by Solomon Sarfo Taylor after enjoying 72 minutes.
Substitute Khater Awad completed Al Hilal victory over Asante with his strike on the 88th minute of the game.
Asante Kotoko will battle out with Tanzania giants Simba SC in their next pre-season friendly on Friday, 26th August, 2022.
