Asante Kotoko, playing with ten men for a greater part of the second half failed to hold on an early lead as Al-Ittihad rallied back to win 2-1 in their Confederations Cup round of 16 first leg game on Friday.

The Porcupine Warriors jumped into the lead in the first half through striker Kwabena Yaro, who hit the back of the net in the 20th minute.

Kotoko managed to cling onto their lone goal lead until recess.

However, the Porcupine Warriors were dealt a blow after captain, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour was red-carded in 53rd minute for a challenge on an Ittihad player.

Kuffour, who was suspended for their dramatic win against Dolphins FC of Nigeria in the previous round, thus misses the return leg in Kumasi in two weeks time.

Ittihad, took the free-kick, which Kotoko struggled to clear and a shot from rebound hit the arm of a Kotoko defender in the box and the match referee awarded a penalty, drawing protests from the Porcupine Warriors.

Ittihad drew level from the spot-kick on the 54th minute mark and with four minutes of regulation time remaining, the grabbed the winner from a corner kick.

Kotoko would host the Libyans in the reverse fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in a fortnight's time as they try to reach the league stages of the Confederations Cup.