Confederation Cup Preview: CARA vs Asante Kotoko

After a dramatic and historic first leg encounter at the Babayara stadium, Kumasi about a fortnight ago, Asante Kotoko SC travel to face CARA Brazaville in the second leg of the preliminary round of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup in Congo this Wednesday.

The first leg saw five penalties in the game with four going the way of the Porcupine Warriors and the other one to the Congolese side.

Asante Kotoko SC managed a 1-0 victory after missing three of the four penalties awarded them.

With this advantage, the two time African champions need at least a draw to advance to the next round.

Aside a 1-0 defeat, any other defeats with only a goal margin could still see the Red Family progress.

They make the trip to Congo with a full strength squad. Seth Opare and Douglas Owusu Ansah are the only players who didn't travel with injuries.

CARA Brazaville hope to continue their blistering form in the current campaign to eliminate Asante Kotoko SC.

They have won all three games played in the Congolese Ligue 1 with a clean sheet in all.

Any victory of a two goals difference will see the Eagles qualify to the first round of the competition.

A lot will depend on goalkeeper and captain Chancel Massa who saved two penalties to deny Asante Kotoko SC getting more goals in the reverse fixture.

MATCH FACTS

~ CARA Brazaville have lost just two of their last fourteen matches in all competitions.

(W9 D3 L2)

~ CARA Brazaville have been defeated only once in their last twelve home fixtures in all competitions.

(W10 D1 L1)

~ CARA Brazaville are unbeaten in their four home matches they have played in the CAF Confederation Cup.

(W3 D1 L0)

~ They have won all two games they hosted Asante Kotoko SC in African club competition.

1976 - CARA Brazaville 2-1 Asante Kotoko SC

1983 - CARA Brazaville 3-2 Asante Kotoko SC

~ Asante Kotoko SC have recorded only two victories in their last eight fixtures in all competitions.

(W2 D2 L4)

~ Asante Kotoko SC have lost all of their last five away games in all competitions.

(W0 D0 L5)

~ The Porcupine Warriors are winless in their eleven away matches in the history of the CAF Confederation Cup.

(W0 D4 L7)

~ Asante Kotoko SC have never been eliminated in an African club competition by a Congolese side.

1969 - vs. Patronage Saint Anne

1976 - vs. CARA Brazaville

1983 - vs. CARA Brazaville

2002 - vs. AS Police