For nearly six decades, Ghanaian clubs have battled across the continent in CAF inter-club competitions, but one haunting statistic continues to persist. Since 1966, no Ghanaian side has ever managed to progress to the next round after losing the first leg at home in a knockout tie.
A Curse That Started in 1966
The trend began with Asante Kotoko in the 1966 African Cup of Champions Clubs quarter-finals. The Porcupine Warriors lost 1-0 at home to Stade Abidjan of Ivory Coast and could only draw 2-2 away, bowing out 3-2 on aggregate.
Over the years, Ghanaian giants such as Hearts of Oak, Great Olympics, AshantiGold (then Goldfields), and Wa All Stars have all fallen to the same fate. The most recent casualties, Nsoatreman FC and Bibiani GoldStars, suffered identical eliminations in 2024 and 2025, respectively, after home defeats.
A Long List of Near Misses and Heartbreaks
In 1974, Hearts of Oak lost 1-2 to Simba SC in Accra before a goalless draw in Tanzania ended their hopes.
A year later, Great Olympics went down 0-2 at home to Enugu Rangers and were again beaten 2-1 in Nigeria.
The Phobians’ heartbreak continued in the 1977 African Cup final, losing 0-1 to Hafia FC at home and 3-2 away, handing the Guineans a 4-2 aggregate triumph.
The 1980s brought no reprieve as AS Bilima of Congo Brazzaville defeated Hearts 3-1 in Accra and 1-0 in Brazzaville. The 1990s followed suit, AshantiGold lost 2-0 to ASEC Mimosas at home and could only manage a 0-0 draw in Abidjan in 1995.
In recent years, Wa All Stars, Kotoko, Nsoatreman FC, and Bibiani GoldStars have all exited continental campaigns under similar circumstances.
Only Kotoko (0-0 vs ES Sétif in 2021), Hearts (0-0 vs Simba in 1974), and AshantiGold (0-0 vs ASEC in 1995) have managed to avoid defeat in the away return leg after losing at home, but none progressed.
Kotoko’s Impressive Away Record Offers Hope
Despite the grim history, Asante Kotoko remain Ghana’s most successful side on the road in Africa.
The club boasts 16 away victories in CAF inter-club competitions, dating back to a 3-0 win over Etoile Filante in 1966.
Other notable triumphs include wins against TP Englebert (now TP Mazembe) in 1971, ASEC Mimosas in 1992, Cotonsport Garoua in 2019, and Kadiogo FC in 2022.
Their most recent came in Nigeria, a 1-0 win over Kwara United in the 2025 CAF Confederation Cup.
However, Kotoko have only won on penalties once in CAF history, in the 1971 competition, underlining the challenge they face when chasing aggregate deficits.
Rare North African Triumphs
Only two Ghanaian clubs have managed away victories on North African soil, both on Tunisian grounds and both on Saturdays.
In the 2000 CAF Champions League final, Hearts of Oak pulled off a famous 2-1 win over Esperance de Tunis, with goals from Ismael Addo and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour. That victory paved the way for the Phobians to lift the trophy in Accra a week later.
Five years later, King Faisal Babes stunned AS Marsa 2-1 in the 2005 CAF Confederation Cup group stage, courtesy of goals from Habib Mohammed and Eric Gawu.
Can Kotoko Break the 59-Year Curse?
With Asante Kotoko trailing Wydad Athletic Club 1-0 from the first leg in Kumasi, they head to Casablanca knowing the odds — and history — are stacked against them.
No Ghanaian club has overturned a home-leg deficit in almost 59 years of CAF knockout football.
But with a proven away record, a resilient squad, and Karim Zito’s last three unbeaten away form, the Porcupine Warriors are determined to rewrite the history books.
If Kotoko manages to pull it off, it will not only secure qualification, but it will end one of Ghana’s longest-standing continental football curses.
