Kwara United Fall 4–3 in Asante Kotoko in the thriller of the CAF Confederation Cup

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The Kwara United Football Club has started their CAF Confederation Cup campaign of the CAF 2025/26 with a close 4-3 defeat against the Ghana Asante Kotoko team on Sunday at the accommodation Sports Stadium in the first stage of the preliminary round.

The game was up to expectations when both sides began with high intensity, creating possibilities and testing mutual defensive configurations. Asante Kotoko took the command in the 18th minute through Emmanuel Antwi. Kwara United replied six minutes later when Johnmark Ale converted a cross from Kabiru Muhammed to do it 1-1.

While the first half approached its end, a defensive confusion in Kwara United’s backline allowed Hubert Gyalu to restore Kotoko’s advantage in the 45th minute. The Harmony Boys showed a great resilience, with classrooms that completed its tutor in time of interruption to send the game in terms of half time to 2-2.

The second half has resumed with both teams that adopt new strategies. Just two minutes after the restart, Joseph Ablorh headed in a goal from a corner to put Kotoko back in front. The hosts extended the advantage to 4-2 to the 69th minute after receiving a penalty, which Gyalu converted.

Kwara United reduced the deficit to the 87th minute when the substitute Shola Abdulraheem ended a ride from Junior Aimufua after an impressive race along the side, ending the race in an electrifying score of 4-3.

Speaking after the game, the coach Tunde Sanni, on behalf of the head of the coach Godwin Onyewuchi, did not express satisfaction with the team’s performance and the tactical discipline, adding that they are confident of overturning the result in the second stage of Abekuta.

The governor of the state of Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, visited the team in their hotel after the game to praise their lively performances and urged them to complete the work in Abokuta and to secure a place in the second round.

The decisive return leg is scheduled for Sunday at the Mko Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, where Kwara United will seek victory to progress at the next round of the competition.

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