Algeria’s CR Belouizdad succumbed to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League on Saturday night.
The teams’ quarterfinal, first leg clash at the Stade du 5 Juliet was decided by a lone goal from Congolese striker Guy Mbeza that helped the two time African champions claim the away win..
Wydad played the better part of the match with one man down after Jalal Daoudi was sent off just seven minutes into the match following a VAR intervention.
The first chance of the game went the way of the hosts, with Karib Arimi denied by a low save from Wydad keeper Ahmed Tagnaouti just before the quarter hour mark.
Belouizdad weathered the early pressure from Wydad , before having a good chance of their own around the half hour mark, but Ellafi Muaid wasn’t able to make the most of the opportunity.
Karim Aribi was causing havoc for the Wydad defence with his unpredictable runs into the visitors’ box and he had a chance to put Belouizdad up but this time he couldn’t keep his volleyed effort on target
The first half ended goalless, with Belouizdad no doubt pleased at having stymied the WAC, who enjoyed the comfortable majority of possession.
However, Wydad needed just one minutes of the second half to break the deadlock, when Mbenza rose well inside the box to head home from an Ayoub El Amloud cross from the right.
Aribi was a constant threat to the WAC defence whenever the hosts pushed forward and Belouizdad were awarded a free-kick after he was fouled near the Wydad’s box. Sofiane Bouchar stepped up and he was denied by a well-positioned Tagnaouti.
Wydad were under pressure in the latter stages of the game as Sofiane Bouchar unleashed a shot which was saved by Tagnaouti, who was then beaten by Aribi’s header, but Achraf Dari made a crucial goal-line clearance.
The visitors were able to weather the storm and they emerged 1-0 winners over CR Belouizdad and will take the narrow advantage to the Casablanca, next Saturday 23 May.The aggregate winners will advance into the semifinal.
