Kumasi Asante Kotoko struggled to a 1-0 win over Gambian side, Port Authority in the first leg fixture of the CAF/MTN Champions League preliminary round.

Dan Acquah’s second half goal from a spot kick ensured that Kotoko left the Len Clay stadium in Obuasi winners.

Kotoko handed new signings, Nii Adjei and Ahmed Nyame their debut in continental club football but had it tough dominating play as their opponents without five regular players on national duty looked a formidable unit.

Watching from the sidelines for the Porcupine Warriors was their most expensive signing in the January transfer window, Isaac Vorsah.

The victory was Kotoko’s second in succession in all competitions they are involved in, that is both the domestic and continental campaign.

Kotoko started superbly but easily lost their early minute dominance as they struggled to break through the rear of Port Authority.

Both sides battled it out strongly but ended the first half goalless.

Back from recess, the Gambians still stood tall but the Porcupine Warriors at least deservedly scored through a spot kick which was converted by defender, Dan Acquah. The return leg comes off in Banjul next week.

The first leg should have come off a last week. But Port Authority requested for the postponement of the game due to the unavailability of the some of their players who were representing Gambia in the African Youth Championship which ends Saturday in Congo.

The Confederation of African Football – CAF, heeded to the request of the Gambians and postponed the game.