Caf Confederation Cup Group A Review: Asec pip Aduana, as Raja & Vita share spoils

Prince Narkortu Teye

Caf Confederation Cup Group A Review: Asec pip Aduana, as Raja & Vita share spoils image

Cote d'Ivoire's Asec Mimosas have taken an early lead in Group A of the Caf Confederation Cup after dispatching Ghanaian outfit Aduana Stars on matchday one. 

Raja Casablanca of Morocco, however, failed to make their home advantage count as they were held by a plucky AS Vita Club of Congo DR in the other group game.

Asec Mimosas 1-0 Aduana Stars 

Aduana Stars got their Caf Confederation Cup group stage campaign off to a disappointing start following a 1-0 away defeat to Ivorian giants Asec Mimosas on Sunday. 

Amed Toure scored the lone goal to leave the Ghanaians crestfallen in the Group A fixture at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny.

As anticipated, Asec started on the front foot. All was going well until the 16th minute when Hamed Herve Diomande had to be replaced by Jean Morel Poe due to injury.

Aduana had a huge scare after 30 minutes as Coulibaly almost found the opener but for Caleb Manway’s goal-line clearance.

In the 38th minute, the home side finally went 1-0 up as Toure rose high to head home a Christian Alex Angbandji cross.

The Fire Boys' first real knock at goal came on 42 minutes when Zakaria Mumuni tested goalkeeper Abdoul Karim Cisse with a shot.

Justice Anane then tried his luck with a long-range effort, which was coolly handled by goalkeeper Cisse, before Asamoah three minutes later. 

The home side could, however, have made it 2-0 in the 70th minute but Toure spurned a glorious opportunity to double the score.

Raja vs Vita Club

Raja Casablanca 0-0 AS Vita Club 

Raja Casablanca's hopes of beginning the group campaign on a winning note were dashed by AS Vita Club of Congo DR on Sunday. 

The North Africans were stopped by The Black Dolphins, who held their own to force a goalless draw away at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.

Without a goal, the biggest moment of the game came during six minutes of stoppage time when Vita's Emomo Eddy Ngoyi was sent off.

It was, however, little too late for the home side to exploit their numerical advantage.

Raja will be hoping to make amends when they play away to Ghana's Aduana Stars in their next game later this month.

 

Prince Narkortu Teye