In a thrilling friendly match held on Sunday, September 8, at the General Mathieu Kerekou stadium in Cotonou, ASKO of Kara secured a 2-1 victory over Benin’s Dadjè Football Club. This encounter served as vital preparation for both teams, with ASKO gearing up for the African Champions League and Dadjè FC preparing for the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Dadjè FC, the reigning vice-champions of Benin, started the game on the front foot, eager to make an impression in front of their home crowd.
The team took control early, pushing ASKO’s defense and creating several chances in the opening minutes.
Their efforts paid off just six minutes into the match when Selasie Bless showcased his individual brilliance, slotting the ball past ASKO’s goalkeeper to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
The early goal boosted Dadjè’s confidence, and they continued to dominate possession throughout the first half.
Despite some resistance from ASKO, the Beninese team managed to hold onto their slim advantage as the match headed into the halftime break with the scoreline favoring them.
The second half, however, saw a rejuvenated ASKO side return to the pitch, spurred on by coach Lambert Amani Yao César’s halftime pep talk.
The Togolese team quickly regrouped and began to assert themselves, finding their rhythm and posing a greater threat to Dadjè’s defense.
Their perseverance was finally rewarded in the 72nd minute when Traoré Sadiki pounced on a defensive lapse to equalize for ASKO.
With momentum now in their favor, ASKO pressed forward relentlessly, and just eight minutes later, Ouro Bodi completed the comeback by netting the decisive goal.
His well-placed strike gave ASKO a 2-1 lead, turning the match on its head and silencing the home supporters.
For ASKO, this win provided a much-needed confidence boost as they prepare for their upcoming African Champions League tie against Mali’s Djoliba Athletic Club.
The Togolese champions displayed resilience and tactical discipline, key traits that will be crucial in their quest to progress further in the continental competition.
Coach Lambert Amani Yao César expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their ability to respond to adversity and turn the match around.
“The players showed great character, especially in the second half. This victory gives us confidence as we head into our Champions League campaign,” he remarked.
Despite the loss, Dadjè FC can take valuable lessons from this friendly match as they prepare for their CAF Confederation Cup second-round clash against Moroccan side RS Berkane.
The Beninese outfit showed promise, particularly in the first half, but will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to advance in the competition.
Dadjè’s coach acknowledged the areas for improvement, stating, “We started well but lost focus in the second half.
We have a few days to correct our mistakes before the next match, and I am confident the team will bounce back stronger.”
Both ASKO of Kara and Dadjè FC will now turn their attention to their respective continental challenges.
For ASKO, the victory against Dadjè has reinforced their belief in their ability to compete at the highest level in Africa, while Dadjè FC will look to fine-tune their tactics and bounce back from the defeat as they aim to make a mark in the CAF Confederation Cup.
With critical fixtures on the horizon, both teams remain focused on their goals as they prepare for the intense battles that lie ahead in African club football.
