Kaizer Chiefs made significant headway in the race to reach the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League final after a 1-0 away semifinal first leg win over Wydad Casablanca in Morocco.
The South Africans, who advanced to the last four for the first time in the club’s history, had their keeper to thank for keeping them into the game on several occasions.
Wydad were presented with the first chance of the game in the 11th minute but Ayoub El Kaabi’s close range volley was brilliantly saved by Bruce Bvuma.
Chiefs squandered a big chance two minutes later when Leonardo Castro floated a ball into the box for Njabulo Blom, who headed wide from six-yards out.
The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th, when Nurkovic clacked the opener from a clever pass by Njabulo Blom, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) overuling the linesman’s initial offside call.
Wydad nearly leveled matters in the 41st minute when Muiad El Ellafi was played through on goal, however his low strike was deflected onto the upright by Siyabonga Ngezana.
Both sides continued to display their attacking intent after the halftime break, although they both struggled with decision-making in the final third.
Wydad went close to grabbing an equaliser in the 62nd minute when Achraf Dari’s curling free-kick forced Bvuma into a fine save at the near post.
Simon Msuva nearly leveled matters for the hosts in the 79th minute, as showed some great foot-work to beat his marker, before forcing Bvuma a into another good stop.
Chiefs were presented with a golden chance in the 85th minute when Nurkovic floated a cross to the far post, where Kearlyn Baccuss somehow placed his effort over the crossbar from point-blank range.
Wydad pushed for an equalizing goal in the closing stages but could not bypass a stubborn Chiefs defence.
The Amakhosi held onto their narrow advantage to seal a crucial victory before hosting Wydad at FNB Stadium next Saturday.
How they lined up:
Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Sasman, Mathoho, Ngezana, Cardoso, Parker, Katsande, Blom, Nurkovic, Castro.
Subs: Akpeyi, Baccus, Zulu, Matsheke, Kambole, Akumu, Ngcobo, Mashiane, Moleko.
