Honours even for the third successive time for Asante Kotoko this season as the Ghanaian giants played out a 1-1 draw away to FC Nouadhibou in a 2020/21 Caf Champions League preliminary round first leg Sunday afternoon.
The Porcupine Warriors had drawn twice with the same results in their domestic league campaign but can be content this time, having registered a precious away goal to aid them to complete the tie at the Accra Sports Stadium next Sunday – December 6.
An Osman Ibrahim strike as early as the fifth minute gave Kotoko a morale-boosting lead at Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya in Nouakchott.
But that was cancelled out by Les Oranges in the 22nd minute via the penalty spot.
Centre-back Yusif Mubarick was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own area – a decision which was challenged by Kotoko who contested the ball hit their player’s belly.
22' FC Nouadhibou 1-1 #AKSC
BIZZARE!! Yussif Mubarik goes for a one-on-one tackle with his hands folded at his back. The ball hits his belly but the referee has whistled for a penalty, and the resulting kick is in. It's 1-1.#AKSC #NOUKOT #CAFCL
— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) November 29, 2020
The penalty decision by Malian referee Gaoussou Kane, however, stood and Nouadhibou skipper Hemeya Tanji stepped up to convert from the spot for the hosts.
1-1 the first half ended so remained the scoreline at full time.
The aggregate winner of this Kotoko-Nouadhibou tie next week advances to face either Zambia’s Vipers SC or Al Hilal of Sudan in the final qualifying round to the group stage of the 2020/21 Caf Champions League.
