A dejected Wydad Casablanca coach Faouzi Benzarti could not hide his disappointment after seeing his team fail to advance to the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League final.
Wydad, after a wonderful display in the tournament, failed to make it to the final after laying to a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The result meant that Red Castle lost to the Amakhosi on a 1-0 aggregate and Kaizer Chiefs will face reigning African champions Al Ahly in the final on 17 July.
Benzarti while speaking after their return-leg of CAF Champions League semi-final against Chiefs said they played well but had expected to pick a win which never came courtesy of opponent’s good defence.
“We had the chances to make a difference. We did what we were supposed to, we just lacked that one goal. Football is a game to watch and enjoy. You get defence and attack. Kaizer Chiefs defended very well,” the coach said.
“I always try and make football as enjoyable as possible, but in football there is always one winner and one loser. Congratulations again to Kaizer Chiefs and good luck in the final.
“We had the same players, with the same charisma who have scored the most goals in the Moroccan league. We just needed a player to put that last ball into the net. Our players tried their best, but we just could not get there, and we were denied by Kaizer Chiefs’ unbelievable defence.”
In several occasions, the Moroccan team forced a couple of straightforward stops from goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi with the Nigerian producing an excellent one-handed saves.
Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Arthur Zwane admitted that it was a difficult match for the two teams, saying his team will have to carry their positive performances into the final.
“Wydad are a very good team, one of the best on the continent no doubt. They are good in defence and good going forward, but they also have their weaknesses. We knew if you go pound for pound against them and give them enough space, they will punish you,” said Zwane after the game.
“What was key for us was to get to the final, that’s what we were working for. It’s always been our dream, even when I was a player, to win this trophy for the Chairman. Hopefully, God will give us the strength to go on and win this trophy for him.”
