MOROCCAN SIDE WYDAD AC HANDS ASANTE KOTOKO FIRST HOME LOSS IN 38 YEARS

By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh

Kumasi Asante Kotoko of Ghana were shocked by Wydad AC at home with a 0-1 defeat in the first leg in the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Joseph Bakasu's second-half strike gave the Moroccan club an advantage against Asante Kotoko, who played most of the second half with ten men.

The defeat brings an end to Asante Kotoko's 38-year unbeaten home record against Moroccan clubs since 1987 and also ends an 8-match winning streak on Ghanaian soil against Moroccan rivals.

Wydad AC's win against Asante Kotoko marks their first win against a Ghanaian side on Ghanaian soil in six matches since 1987.

Surprisingly, Asante Kotoko was the first Ghanaian team to beat a Moroccan side on Ghanaian soil, and it was against Wydad AC in 1987 at Kumasi.

Asante Kotoko lost at home for the first time against a Moroccan opponent in CAF Inter-club competitions since 1987 against Wydad AC at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 19, 2025.            

Asante kotoko Head-to-Head at Home against Moroccan opponents since 1987.

Total matches played      - 8

Asante kotoko wins         - 7

Goals scored                     - 14

Moroccan clubs wins       - 1

Goals scored                     - 3                    

• May 15, 1987 (1987 African Cup of Champions Clubs) [Second round] {2nd leg}

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Asante kotoko              2-0 Wydad AC   

• 1990 African Cup of Champions Clubs (second round) [2nd leg]

Asante kotoko              1-0 FAR Rabat

• May 9, 1993 (1993 African Cup of Champions Clubs) [second round] {1st leg}

Asante kotoko              3-0 Kawkab Marrakech

• December 8, 2002 (2002 Cup Winners' Cup) [Final] {2nd leg}

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi

Asante Kotoko              2-1 Wydad AC

Aziz Ansah 54', Michael Osei 84'//Mustapha Talha 73'

NB: Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama was in attendance.

Manager: Ralf Zumdick (Kotoko)//Rachid Taoussi (WAC)

• July 11, 2004 (2004 CAF Confederation Cup) [Play-off round] {1st leg}

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Asante Kotoko              2-0 Wydad AC

Yusif Alhassan Chipsah 38', Nana Arhin Duah 61'

• March 6, 2005 (2005 CAF Champions League)  [first round] {Semi-final}

Asante kotoko              1-0 FAR Rabat

• March 15, 2009 (2009 CAF Champions League)  [First round] {1st leg}

Asante kotoko              3-1 Ittihad Khemisset

• October 19, 2025 (2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup) [second round] {1st leg}

Venue: Accra Sports Stadium

Asante kotoko              0-1 Wydad AC

Wydad AC won for the first time on Ghanaian soil in CAF Inter-club competitions since 1987.

• Wydad AC (Morocco) Head-to-Head Away Games against Ghanaian opponents since 1987.

Total matches played      - 6

Wydad AC wins                 - 1

Goals scored                     - 2

Ghanaian clubs wins        - 5

Goals scored                     - 9                                       

Drawn games                    - 0

• May 15, 1987 (1987 African Cup of Champions Clubs) [Second round] {2nd leg}

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Asante kotoko              2-0 Wydad AC

• May 28, 2000 (2000 CAF Cup( [Second round] {2nd leg}

Venue: Robert Mensah Stadium, Cape Coast

Ebusua Dwarfs             2-0 Wydad AC

Stephen Owusu (brace) 35', 47'

• December 8, 2002 (2002 Cup Winners' Cup) [Final] {2nd leg}

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi

Asante Kotoko              2-1 Wydad AC

Aziz Ansah 54', Michael Osei 84'//Mustapha Talha 73'

• July 11, 2004 (2004 CAF Confederation Cup) [Play-off round] {1st leg}

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Asante Kotoko              2-0 Wydad AC

Yusif Alhassan Chipsah 38', Nana Arhin Duah 61'

• October 17, 2021 (2021-22 CAF Champions League) (second round) [1st leg]

Venue: Accra Sports Stadium

Hearts of Oak                1-0 Wydad AC (Morocco)

Isaac Mensah 40'

Manager: Samuel Boadu (Hearts)

• October 19, 2025 (2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup) [Second round] {1st leg}

Venue: Accra Sports Stadium

Asante kotoko              0-1 Wydad AC

The second leg, scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, at Mohammed V Stadium (Casablanca), will see the two sides battle for a place in the group stages of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.