Obuasi, (A/R) April 23, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday spanked USCAFOOT of Madagascar 6-0 in their first leg encounter of the Champions League match at the Len Clay Sports Stadium at Obuasi.
The two time continental soccer lords led by a lone goal in the first half through the effort of Charles Taylor in the 20th minute when he headed home an in-swinger from Nana Arhin Duah.
Kotoko who were determined to enter the money zone of the competition, from then took absolute control of the game but wasted a couple of chances that came their way with the worst offenders being Arhin Duah and Ahmed Toure.
While the Kotoko defence pivoted around Shilla Illiasu and Michael Asante made sure that the slippery attackers of the visitors did not break through their ranks, the attackers continued to pile on the pressure but their final touches failed to find target.
The Madagascan coach, Andrian Joelson sesnsing danger quickly made two changes when he found the going tough for his side by substituting Resotofomanna for Andri Atsimafaneva and Randra Antsoaleza for Rakoto Nanahary in the 37th minute.
The changes nearly paid for them when the attackers managed to take the ball into the Kotoko goal area but the strongly built defence of Kotoko managed to ward off their threat before they could cause any havoc.
Kotoko who were still on the offensive nearly increased the tally in the 44th minute but substitute Douglas Nkrumah's header hit the cross bar to the relief of the visitors.
Nkrumah had come in for limping Charles Taylor in the 40th minute. On resumption of the second half, Kotoko started on a fast note and no wonder they increased their tally in the 49th minute through Toure and added the third goal in the 68th minute through substitute Edmund Owusu Ansah who came in for George Yamoah.
The Madagascans' who seemed undaunted, briefly came into the game in the second half but wasted two chances in the 70th and 72nd minutes of the game.
Kotoko who were bent on recording a convincing win doubled their effort with Aziz Ansah fetching the fourth goal with a powerful shot in the 84th minute that completely deflated the little strength and confidence of the Madagascans.
The visitors from then were a sorry sight and became a disjointed and confused side and finally crumpled to give Kotoko two more goals in the 88th minute and a minute into injury time from the boots of Toure and Nkrumah.
