Faisal and Santos draw in Confederation Cup match

Kumasi, May 16, GNA - King Faisal Football club and Santos Club of South Africa on Sunday drew 1-1 in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup competition played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. Both goals came in the second half with Faisal scoring first through a spot kick converted by Hamza Mohammed in the 58th minute while Santos equalised in the 65th minute through Atheer Jean Mark. Faisal kicked off and carried the ball to the visitors territory earning a corner kick in the first minute but wasted it and this was followed up with a cross from Kwabena Opoku but there was nobody around to connect home.

Santos took over and nearly caused havoc in the fourth minute but Suraj Mohammed saved Lamono Thambile's point blank shot. Skipper Abubakari Yahuza of Faisal came close to scoring in the ninth minute after receiving a cross from Eric Gawu but failed to score. Faisal from then took control of the game but missed another glaring chance in the 20th minute.

Santos also came into the picture but Bantam Barawan's shot missed the target with Jean Mark also missing a chance in the 32nd minute. Sensing danger, Faisal substituted Joe Agyemang Jnr for Kwabena Poku in the 36th minute to strengthen the attack but could not put their set pieces together and allowed Santos to dictate the pace of the game to the end of the first half goalless.

On resumption, both teams came out strongly in an effort to find the leader but it was Faisal who laughed first when they scored the opener through a spot kick awarded by referee Dr Alex Mana after Teotetsi Christopher fouled Gawu in the penalty box for Hamza Mohammed to score.

Santos who seemed not to be deterred by the goal carried the game to their opponent's and levelled up seven minutes later through Jean Mark with a header.

Yahuza nearly restored Faisal's lead in the 69th minute but his shot missed the post narrowly.

Faisal brought on Osei Kofi for Prince Antwi in the 73rd minute who announced his presence with a powerful shot in the 80th minute but the ball was parried to corner by goalkeeper Wardle Brenden. In an effort to carry the day, Faisal mounted a last minute onslaught but goalkeeper Brenden came out strongly to defend and in his attempt he fouled Gawu in the process and was shown the red card to end proceedings.