Wydad Casablanca did not put in the most convincing offensive performance but faced little threat of conceding an away goal in their 1-0 CAF Champions League second leg quarter-final victory over MC Alger. The current Botola Pro leaders advanced 2-1 on aggregate courtesy of the result and advance to the semi-finals where they will face a familiar foe from the group stage in Kaizer Chiefs.
MCA were only a goal away from causing Wydad serious trouble in the aggregate score, but the Algerian team posed little to no threat offensively throughout the 90 minutes. The hosts had numerous chances to put the tie away but poor finishing kept the fans in suspense. Libya international midfielder Muaid Ellafi had an open shot from the edge of the MCA penalty area in the 6th minute but put his effort wide. The 44th minute was the closest Wydad came to finding a first half goal when Ayoub El Kaabi cushioned a header into the path of Walid El Karti, whose shot was saved onto the crossbar by MCA keeper Ahmed Boutagga before El Kaabi’s rebound header was comfortably caught.
El Kaabi had a golden chance within five minutes after the break, but with all the time in the world to size up Boutagga in a 1-on-1 situation, the Morocco international striker inexplicably put his shot wide. MCA had a speculative effort in the 68th minute that was put far off target, and that was the closest they threatened the hosts.
Wydad were set to advance with a 0-0 draw due to away goals, but found a late winner to provide some comfort in the second minute of stoppage time. Mohammed Ounajem created space on the left flank and cut the ball across to El Karti for a first-time shot inside the far post. The match ended on a heated note with the teams scuffling a bit and MCA goalkeeper Boutagga obtaining two yellow cards in stoppage time to result in his sending off.
Highlights of the match are below.
