The high flying attack of Moroccan club ASFAR was in peak form on Wednesday in the club’s 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup first leg victory over Libya’s Al-Ittihad in the First Qualifying Round at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Four different players found the net for the Royal Army club and the current Botola Pro league leaders appear to be in excellent shape when the two clubs meet again on April 12 for the second leg in Benghazi.
The Ittihad defense was in constant danger against one of Africa’s most prolific attacks with ASFAR posing a regular threat due to their lethal counter attacks. After Ivorian striker Joseph Guede Gnahou failed to convert an easy opportunity inside the opening ten minutes, ASFAR snatched the lead five minutes later. A pass from the midfield found Adam Ennafati, who cut inside from the left wing for a shot that was spilled by Ittihad goalkeeper Muad Allafi right to Mustapha Sahd who finished with ease from close range.
Soon after halftime ASFAR doubled the lead when Ennafati exchanged passes with Sahd at the edge of the penalty area and curled a perfect shot past Allafi and inside the post. Ennafati was involved again in the 63rd minute when he received a pass down the left flank from Emmanuel Imanishimwe and crossed to a wide open Guede Gnahou who was left with an easy finish.
Ittihad did find an away goal in the 77th minute through Muad Eisa, who drove inside from the left flank for a powerful shot past ASFAR keeper Mohamed Baayou. The Libyan club would have been somewhat satisfied with a two-goal defeat considering ASFAR’s dominance but the club from the Moroccan capital found one more goal to strengthen their lead for the second leg when Ahmed Hammoudan drove in from the left wing and was given far too much room to finish past Allafi.
Highlights of the first leg are below.
