Aduana Stars made a losing start to their 2018 Caf Confederation Cup group stage campaign, falling 1-0 to ASEC Mimosas at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Sunday.
Former Asante Kotoko marksman Amed Toure scored the only goal of the first Group A fixture in the 39th minute.
Toure was left unmarked in the goal area as the ball got floated into the Aduana area from the right by Christian Angbandji – and the experienced forward freely met it with a thumping header past goalkeeper Joseph Addo.
ASEC were dominant in the opening half but Aduana improved tremendously in the second half and created some good chances.
Zakaria Mumuni could have pulled Aduana level four minutes from time with a free-kick just outside the penalty box but he disappointingly skied his effort.
The winger was however denied a scoring opportunity during additional time by a controversial offside decision by Zimbabwean referee Norman Matemera after he got set up for a one-on-one situation with the ASEC goalkeeper.
Aduana ended the game with the solitary goal loss and will next host Raja Casablanca on May 16. The Moroccans face AS Vita Club at home later on Sunday night.
Line-ups:
ASEC Mimosas XI: Mimosas: Abdoul Cissé – Gloudoueu, W.Coulibaly, Angbandji/58’ Z.Coulibaly, Koanda, Agbegniadan, Badié, Diomande/17’ Poe/73’ Nougbele, Touré, Sanogo, Yao.
Aduana Stars XI: Joseph Addo – Caleb Amankwah, Anokye Badu, Paul Aidoo, Justice Anane – Noah Martey, Elvis Opoku, Sam Adams/69’ Bright Adjei, Zakari Mumuni – Yahaya Mohammed/63’ Derrick Sasraku, Nathaniel Asamoah/76’ Emmanuel Boateng
