Lethal forward Sogne Yacouba came off the bench for Naby Keita in the second half as Asante Kotoko fought out a goalless draw away at Kariobangi Sharks in the first leg of their Confederation Cup First Round tie.

Defender Agyemang Badu – arguably Kotoko’s best man in the game – produced a superb goal-line clearance in the 40th minute to prevent a Sharks opener as Felix Annan was totally beaten following a corner.

Champions League winner Daniel Nii Adjei replaced Martin Antwi in the 70th minute as C.K Akonnor strengthened the Porcupine Warriors midfield.

Sharks dominated possession in both halves but could not break the resilient Kotoko defence of goalkeeper Felix Annan, central defenders Abdul Ganiyu, Agyemang Badu, full backs Amos Frimpong and Augustine Sefah.

The bulky striker of the Kenyan side George Abege could not impose his intimidating body on the Kotoko defence who worked very bard to keep a clean sheet.

Duke Abuya, Patilla Omotto, Nixon Omomdi combined well in middle as they passed the ball with excellence and dictated how the game should go but the home side always lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

The game ended 0-0 at full time.

The two teams meet on December 22 at the Babayara stadium for the reverse fixture.