CAF Champions League: Holders Wydad in Quarterfinals with 1-0 Win over Sundowns

Defending Champions Wydad Athletic Club have progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2018 CAF Champions League after beating South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in Morocco.

After a goalless first half, the deadlock was finally broken in the 56 minute after Anas Al Asbahi superbly struck home a long-range effort past goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.  The victory maintained Wydad top of Group C on 11 points with a match left to be played.

Sundowns who seem to have found their rhythm of late in their 2-0 win against Golden Arrows in the MTN8, kickstarted the match in a better form with Liberian international Anthony Laffor firing a shot past the crossbar, but the title holders were better prepared to defend their title and secure their slot in the last eight of the competition.

Hosts Wydad could have gotten the opener in the 31^st minute but goalkeeper Onyango, recovering from a head injury, was on hand to deny the capital side

Sundowns became more forceful in the second half after conceding the goal. Coach Pisto Mosimane introduced Jose Meza and Lebohang Maboe in search for an equalizer that could put his side in a better position ahead of their final match, but Wydad were resolute to end of time.

Wydad now leads the head-to-head record between the two sides, winning three and drawing two out of five meetings.

The result dropped Sundowns to third in Group C, three points behind second-placed Guinea’s Horoya FC who humbled AS Torgo-Port 2-1 in Conakry.

If Sundowns ought to qualify for the next round of the competition, they will need to collect all three points against Horoya FC in their final match.