Defending champions Wydad Casablanca narrowly beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in their Group C Caf Champions League encounter on Friday night, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
The teams knew each other well heading into the match after Wydad knocked out Downs after a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals on their way to lifting the trophy.
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The Brazilians knew the importance of the game as their progression from the group lay firmly in the balance after Horoya beat AS-Togo Port earlier in the day.
The defending champions, however, sat at the top of the group and knew three points would secure their spot in the next round.
The game started as expected with both teams not looking to give an inch.
Wydad were controlling possession with the Chloorkop based side looking to catch their hosts on the counter.
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Both teams, however, were finding chances hard to come by in a half which proved to be extremely tight.
0-0 at the break with chances at a premium. Mosimane likely happier of the two coaches up to that point.
The hosts look to turn up the heat at the beginning of the second half and fashioned the first real chance of the game, but Denis Onyango was quick off his line to snuff out the danger.
The deadlock was finally broken on the 56-minute mark when Wydad right-back Anas El Asbahi hit a ferocious strike into the bottom corner. The ball flew in from some distance leaving Onyango with little chance.
Sundowns were finding it difficult to find a way back into the game as the home side was proving difficult to break down.
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The Brazilians enjoyed their best spell of the game heading into the final 10 minutes, threatening from set pieces on a number of occasions.
Wydad, however, managed to hold on for the three points handing Sundowns their second defeat of the group stages.
The Brazilians now know they will need to beat Horoya in their final group game if they are to progress to the knock-out stages.
