Kumasi Asante Kotoko had their first three points in this year’s CAF Confederations Cup tournament Group Stage with a convincing 2-1 win over Zesco United at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday afternoon.

The Porcupine Warriors opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Kwame Bonsu’s superb drive from 25 yards zoomed into the net after a well laid pass from Sogne Yacouba.

Yacouba could have made it 2-0 in the 16th minute but his connection from a superb cross by Fatawu who had gone on a solo run missed target narrowly.

Against the run of play, Zesco initiated a quick counter attack which resulted in a penalty after Badu brought down Lazarous Kambole but Felix Annan saved the penalty superbly from Jackson Were.

Kotoko continued to look lively in midfield with Senanu and Bonsu pulling the strings.

A fantastic throw found Sogne Yacouba on the left and the Burkina import did a perfect job by outwitting his marker before delivering an audacious pass with the outside of his right foot for the onrushing Emmanuel Gyamfi to connect into the net.

The second half saw Zesco threatening the vital area of Kotoko but they still had Felix Annan as a tough customer as the Kotoko keeper pulled some outstanding saves.

With 25 minutes to the end of the game, Zesco United threw in Ghanaian attacker Rahim Osumanu for Jackson Were and the striker made an immediate impact forcing Annan to a brilliant save.

Rahim reduced the tally with a sublime finish which set the stage for a nervy finish in the final ten minutes.

Rahim again crushed a header off the upright in the 83rd minute before a minute later Kwame Bonsu’s header on the other end hit the wood work.

Zesco had a red card in the 89th minute as substitute Stephen Nyarko who replaced Sogne Yacouba was stamped on by Kondwani Mtonga but the Zambians held on to the 2-1 scoreline despite Kotoko’s late onslaught.