Two matchups between North African clubs closed out Saturday’s CAF Champions League action with defending champions Wydad AC of Morocco and Espérance ST of Tunisia emerging as the winners of their groups. Wydad dominated Algeria’s JS Kabylie by a score of 3-0 at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca to win Group A, leaving JSK as Group runners-up. A scoreless draw between Espérance and their Algerian opponents, CR Belouizdad, maintained the status quo in Group D with the Tunisian club finishing a point ahead of CRB.
Senegalese striker Bouly Junior Sambou continued his electric form for Wydad, giving the Moroccan champions the lead in the 38th minute when he chested down Yahya Attiyat Allah’s early cross and fired his shot past JSK keeper Abderrahmane Medjadel. Sambou deflected Jalal Daoudi’s 51st minute shot past Medjadel for Wydad’s second early in the second half and Zouheir Moutaraji marked his first appearance in nearly three months with a splendid goal from a late free kick on his 27th birthday.
The goals did not arrive in the match between Espérance and CR Belouizdad. It was an even affair with both clubs having opportunities but the efforts of CRB goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz and his defense kept the hosts from scoring. Espérance striker Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda came closest to scoring in the 31st minute after dribbling by Guendouz but CRB central defender Chouaib Keddad somehow blocked Ben Hammouda’s shot on the goal line.
Highlights from both matches are below.
Scores
Group A
Wydad AC (MAR) 2-0 JS Kabylie (ALG)
Group D
Espérance ST (TUN) 0-0 CR Belouizdad (ALG)
Highlights
Wydad AC 3-0 JS Kabylie
Espérance ST 0-0 CR Belouizdad
