CAFCC: RS Berkane edge ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan for first leg advantage

Photo Credit: RS Berkane

Newly crowned Morocco Botola Pro champions RS Berkane took a valuable 1-0 win over Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas from the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal first clash in Abidjan. The home side missed multiple first half chances that came to haunt them in the second half as they dropped a big result at home.

The visitors struggled in the first half as ASEC took the upper hand in creating scoring opportunities during a cagey affair. The home side should have gone 1-0 up through a well taken shot from Salifou Diarrassouba two minutes after the opening whistle. Things got more difficult for Berkane after influential captain Issoufou Dayo was forced off with an injury.

Diarrassouba should have scored before the interval after a brilliant run by 16-year-old attacker Ibrahim Dosso. Celestine Ecua also missed a golden chance inside of the box at the stroke of half time.

Following the recess, Berkane showed more attacking intent and were rewarded for their effort. The away side tested the ASEC defense in a more meaningful way during this half, forcing ASEC custodian Charles Folly into two good saves from Haytam Manaout and Youssef Mehri.

Nonetheless, Berkane took a surprising lead when second half substitute Imad Riahi found the back of the net. The ASEC defense was caught napping on the goal which arrived fifteen minutes before full time.

The dismissal of David Brou Koffi with two yellow cards added more to a difficult situation for ASEC. Berkane managed the first leg well with plans to finish the job next week in Morocco when the teams meet for the second leg.