Asante Kotoko's hope of playing in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup hit a snag on Sunday, October 19, following their defeat to Wydad Athletic Club.

The Moroccan outfit struck early in the second half to pick up a narrow win at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first leg encounter of the second preliminary round.

Kotoko had a great start to the game as they were able to neutralise the attack of Wydad while also creating a few chances of their own.

Despite their encouraging start to the game, the Porcupine Warriors were unable to unsettle the visitors or cause too many troubles for their defence.

The two teams went into the break with nothing to separate them.

However, it didn't take long to find the opener after the recess. Wydad found the back of the net inside the opening five minutes of the second period when Joseph Bakasu struck from close range to give the visitors the lead.

The task became even more difficult for Karim Zito's men as they were reduced to 10 men following Mohammed Camara's red card.

The goalkeeper handled the ball with his hands outside the penalty box prompting the referee to send him off as the last man.

Kotoko managed the game well and created a few chances even after going a man down but they couldn't get a way back into the game as Wydad held on to claim a vital away win.

The second leg of the tie is scheduled for Friday in Casablanca, where Kotoko will need to overturn the deficit to advance to the group stage of the competition.