Moroccan giants Wydad Club Athletic started their group phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a well worked 3-0 victory at home against Angolan rookies G.D. Sagrada Esperança at the Mohamed V Complex in Casablanca on Friday.
Second half goals from skipper Yahya Jabrane’s penalty and Congolese forward Guy Mbenza added on to a first half strike from Achraf Dari to give The Club of the Emperor three vital points at home.
From the onset, the home side were on attack mode with Mbenza a constant threat. The Brazzaville born forward first threatened after two minutes with a shot from the right that went inches wide. He also had two shots sky over the bar.
In the 22nd minute, Wydad came close when Aymane El Hassouni picked the ball on the left but his shot was well saved by the keeper.
They finally got the lead in the first minute of added time when Dari swung in a wonderful low volley inside the box after connecting to a Jalal Daoudi freekick from the left.
In the second half, Wydad continued to dominate and they were 2-0 up six minutes after the restart when skipper Jabrane scored from the penalty spot after Dari was pulled down inside the box by Carlinhos.
The former Dar Young Africans man almost made amends for his mess three minutes later, but his curling effort from a freekick flew inches wide. On the other end, Mbenza forced a good save off the keeper with a bouncing header.
The burly forward however finally got his goal in the 71st minute with a fine finish on the volley inside the box. He would have assisted El Hassouni for the fourth three minutes later after putting him through on goal, but the winger’s shot was saved.
Source: CAF
Shuaeeb Is a seasoned sportswriter, social worker, and philanthropist. He has been renowned for his support of disabled sports persons and championing for equal rights and opportunities for all sports persons. He is also a father of 4 children and married to His partner Moana who is of Australian descent. He currently does sports volunteering and disability support work aside from writing for this August media.
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