After a 2022-23 season that saw the club go without a trophy, the difficult times continued for Moroccan giants Wydad AC in their opening match of the 2023-24 Botola Pro season on Thursday. Wydad fell to a 2-0 defeat at home against FUS Rabat leaving head coach Adil Ramzi without a victory in his first four matches in charge since taking over in late July. Hamza Hanouri and Ayoub Sanah gave FUS a goal in each half for an ideal beginning to the campaign for the club from the capital.
The fierce home support of Wydad were energized early on by a positive start from the hosts. FUS goalkeeper Aymane Majid did excellently to save on a good chance for Wydad winger Mohammed Ounajem and then left back Yahya Attiyat Allah got behind the FUS defense only to send his shot wide under pressure.
The Stade Mohammed V was silenced in the 33rd minute however when a pass from midfield sent FUS forward Nanah behind on the right wing. The veteran floated a cross to the far post where Hanouri leaped to head the ball past Youssef El Motie in the Wydad goal. It was a devastating blow to Wydad who appeared to be in control throughout the first half.
It only got worse for The Red Castle. In the 54th minute an early cross went through the Wydad penalty area and found Mehdi Karnass on the right flank. Karnass collected and sent in a low cross to find Nanah at the near post for a low finish that bounced past El Motie and the deficit was now two goals for Wydad to overcome. The dejected hosts could not regain the momentum and FUS held on for the victory.
Highlights of the match are below.
