Asante Kotoko likey opponents Kariobangi Sharks cruised to a comfortable 6-1 win over Arta Solar of Djibouti to put one leg in the next round of Caf Confederation Cup.
Sharks goals came courtesy of Duke Abuya, Sydney Lokale, Nickson Omondi, Patilah Omotto, George Abege, and Fidel Origa while Komenan Konan scored the consolation goal for Solar.
The game was played at the MISC Karasani stadium on Tuesday, November 27.
Kariobangi Sharks who were dipping into new waters after clinching the 2018 Shield Cup made an electric debut to their continental campaign and opened the scoring in the third minute when Thomas Omenda played a looping pass from defense that found Duke Abuya who slotted home to hand Sharks the precious early lead.Arta Solar7 had a nightmare start to the game and went two goals down in the 12th minute when mercurial winger James Mazembe threaded in a neat through ball to Sydney Lokale who turned Said Isman on his wrong foot to slot the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Sharks proved too strong for Solar as they put in their third in the 16th minute through Nickson Omondi who bagged a goal on his debut after making the switch from Police FC in the National Super League.
Solar gave Sharks a reminder of the threat they possess as they rattled the crossbar in the 22nd minute though Komenan Konan as the Djiboutian outfit passed the chance of having a route back into the game. Â
The short physicality of the Solar defense came to haunt them again in the 40th minute when Patilah Omotto rose highest to nod in Duke Abuya’s cross and give Sharks an emphatic 4-0 lead. Solar pulled one back three minutes later when Omenda hacked down Konan who then stepped up to take the penalty and held his nerve to convert and put some respect to the scoreline heading to the break.
Solar had a contrasting start to the opening half as they managed to keep Sharks at bay but it looked like a mission of damage control as they offered little going forward. Sharks, however, managed to find the fifth goal when Duke Abuya sliced through the Solar defense like hot knife through butter to set up Abege for the simplest of finishes.
Fidel Origa hammered the final nail in the Solar coffin with a tap-in after Duke Abuya again pulled the strings to set him up so a simple goal in the 91st minute.
Sharks will meet Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko if they contain Arta Solar in the return leg. Kotoko sailed to the first round without breaking a sweat after Cameroonian opponent submitted their papers late.
Lineups
Sharks Starting XI:Â 16. Gad Mathews, 2. Tom Teka, 6, Geoffrey Shiveka, 4. Michael Bodo, 3. Nickson Omondi, 8. Patillah Omotto, 10. Duke Abuya, 9. George Abege, 21. James Mazembe, 7. Harrison Mwendwa and 19. Sidney Lokale
SolaStarting XI:Â Abdillahi Idriss, Fahmi Moussa, Dabe Said, Mohamed Omar, Idrissou Owona, Olad Moustapha, Ayuk Forchap, Diarra Cassina, Radwan Wahib, Komenan Konan.
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