ASEC Mimosas qualify but fail to ease Champions League doubts

ASEC Mimosas have advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, but their home victory over ASC de la Kozah did little to settle concerns about their level. The Ivorian champions survived a demanding tie against the Togolese side and will need a more convincing performance as the competition becomes tougher.

ASEC won 2-1 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium on Sunday, following a 1-1 draw in Lomé the previous week. The result sent them through 3-2 on aggregate. Sou scored both of ASEC’s goals after the visitors had taken the lead shortly before half-time.

The Mimos struggled to control the match for long periods. Their passing sequences lacked continuity, while the team found it difficult to maintain pressure or impose a steady tempo. ASC de la Kozah used those weaknesses to take the advantage and remained competitive despite being viewed as the less-fancied team.

ASEC’s recovery came after a Togolese player was sent off, giving the hosts a numerical advantage that helped them turn the tie around. The response secured qualification, but it did not erase the questions surrounding the team’s collective play. ASEC showed character when under pressure, yet their display fell short of the authority expected from Côte d’Ivoire’s champions in Africa’s leading club competition.