AS PSI and CO Korhogo leave CAF tie on a knife-edge after four-goal first leg

AS PSI and CO Korhogo drew 2-2 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie at the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno on Friday.

The result leaves the qualification contest completely open ahead of the return match in Cote d’Ivoire. Neither side could establish an advantage in the opening meeting, with both teams scoring twice in a match that changed direction after half-time.

CO Korhogo went into the interval in front, securing the advantage before the break. The Ivorian side had managed to put AS PSI under pressure and carried its lead into the dressing room.

AS PSI responded quickly after the restart. The Chadian team levelled soon after the players returned to the pitch before going on to move 2-1 ahead.

Having turned the match around, AS PSI was unable to protect its lead for the remainder of the contest. CO Korhogo recovered from the setback and found a way back into the game, eventually drawing level to claim a 2-2 result.

The final score means there is still no clear favourite in the first-round tie. Both clubs remain within reach of progressing to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, with the deciding match to be played in Korhogo.

The teams will meet again on Sunday, 13 September 2026, when CO Korhogo hosts AS PSI in Cote d’Ivoire. The return fixture will determine which side earns qualification for the next round of the competition.

For AS PSI, the draw provides a result to take into the second leg after the side recovered from a half-time deficit and briefly moved ahead. CO Korhogo, meanwhile, will have to build on its late response as it prepares to play the return match on home soil.

The opening fixture at the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno therefore ended without a winner, despite four goals and a significant change in momentum after the interval. The two-goal exchange after half-time ensured that the tie remains undecided.

Everything will now be settled in Korhogo, where the return leg will decide which club advances in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.