Defending CAF Champions League winners Wydad AC secured their spot in the quarterfinals of the 2022-23 edition on Saturday following a 0-0 draw against DR Congo’s AS Vita Club in Brazzaville. The Moroccan giants are now on ten points at the top of Group A and guaranteed a top two position following the result. VClub are eliminated from contention for a spot in the quarterfinals and remain in last place with four points from five matches.
VClub knew they needed a victory to keep their hopes alive of advancing from the group and the Kinshasa club pushed forward in search of goals. A determined Wydad defense and goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnouti kept the Muscovites off the score sheet however with VClub’s best opportunity in the 20th minute denied by a brilliant late intervention by Wydad defender Arsène Zola.
Tagnouti did well to save a free kick from VClub playmaker Marouf Tchakei soon before halftime and played an important role in preserving the clean sheet. VClub had a couple of late opportunities in the second half but Tagnouti pushed away Merveille Kikasa Wamba’s long range effort in the 78th minute before VClub left back Patou Ebunga’s dangerous cross was redirected over the Wydad goal four minutes later.
Highlights from the match in Brazzaville are below.