Wydad Casablanca won the first leg of the African Football League final. In front of their home crowd, the Moroccan side narrowly beat Mamelodi Sundowns (2-1).
Wydad Casablanca narrowly beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the African Football League final.The Moroccans came from behind to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at the Stade Mohamed V on Sunday November 5.
It was a fairly even match, but one that went in the hosts' favor. After a timid start, Wydad had the first chance of the game. The Moroccans even thought they had opened the scoring in the 28th minute. A cross came across the Mamelodi box, but no Wydad player was on hand to receive it. The ball went into the arms of South African keeper Williams. It was not until the 40th minute that the Moroccans scored. Mountassir Lathtimi crossed low from the right. The Mamelodi defender Rivaldo Coetzee, trying to keep the ball out, put it into the back of the net. 1-0 to Wydad Casablanca.
Wydad were on the verge of adding to their tally in the 44th minute. But defender Grand Kekana saved his team.As El Bahri raced towards the Mamelodi goal, Grant came back to tackle the striker. A perfect intervention that prevented a face-off. Just before going into the dressing room, Wydad lost striker Lathimi, who had been instrumental in the first goal. Kekana and Lathimi collided violently at knee level. Lathimi was seriously injured and left the field.
Tense second half
In the second half, the South Africans looked dangerous but were never able to break the deadlock, while Wydad came close to breaking the deadlock. Ayoub El Amloud almost cut out Ronwen Williams from a free-kick. A lack of realism that paid off in spades. Mamelodi Sundowns equalised from the penalty spot.
From a South African corner, Mokoena's shot was blocked by the arm of a Wydad defender. After watching the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Without hesitation, Abdelmounaim Boutouli converted it to equalize for his side (74th). But the South Africans' joy was short-lived. Just four minutes after the equaliser, Anas Serrhat restored their lead. Serrhat took a ball from halfway and sent a powerful shot into the top corner of Williams' net (78th). The end of the match was electric. Mamelodi went on the attack but came up against the Wydad defense.
The Moroccans even came close to scoring the 3rd goal at the very end of the match.
On a Wydad counter-attack, Bouly Junior Sambou fed Hamdou Elhouni perfectly, who curled a shot from the edge of the area over the crossbar. The score remained same as the South Africans will be looking to make up for lost time at home in the return leg on Sunday November 12.
