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Kotoko Snatch Late Win
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Sep 1, 2008 - 7:10:41 AM

Kotoko Snatch Late Win

Kickoff (Cape Town)

Eric Bekoe scored an 86th minute winner for Kumasi Asante Kotoko in an absorbing game against Sudan's El-Merreikh at the Baba Yara Stadium that gave them their first points of this year's CAF Confederation Cup.

The Porcupine Warriors were seeking to bounce back from a 0-2 reversal on the opening day against Etoile du Sahel, but struggled to find the net for long spells before Bekoe popped up with the winner.

His right footed shot after remarkable approach play by substitute Kwadwo Poku was a face saving one not just for the side but for the player himself too who was guilty for some of the worst misses you will see in a football game.

This was a game Kotoko should have wrapped up in the first 45 minutes with as many of four clear cut openings.

Captain Daniel Nii Adjei opened the tale of near misses when worked his way on the right, got inside the Merreikh box before his shot came off the right post after only three minutes.

Kwabena Yaro then managed to miss from six yards when he was played through by Isaac Anderson and Bekoe's combination.

Bekoe was the guilty party moments afterwards when he stabbed his effort wide from four yards after Francis Coffie had set him up nicely.

The misses frustrated the home support and in the second half it started to affect the team on the field too with Merreikh growing increasingly confident.

Michael Ofosu Appiah was forced to clear off the goal line by Faisal Agab as the Sudanese went for the jugular before Eldin Omar pulled a great save off Soulama Abdolouya and then hit the bar in a one minute spell.

They were made to pay for those misses just when the game seemed to be heading for a goalless draw.

Kwadwo Poku showed great determination on the left before centering for Bekoe. The angle was near impossible but he squeezed the ball inside to the unbridled job of the home side.

It was a priceless goal too and takes Kotoko level on points with the other three sides in the group.