Morocco’s Wydad AC completed a dominant Thursday for North African clubs at the 2023 African Football League after the Casablanca club defeated Nigerian champions Enyimba by a 3-0 score in the second leg of their quarterfinal clash. Ayoub El Amloud scored inside the opening five minutes before goals from Jamal Harkass and Yahya Attiyat Allah confirmed a 4-0 aggregate victory for the 2021-22 CAF Champions League winners. Wydad will face Tunisia’s Esperance ST in the semifinals with the first leg set for October 29 in Casablanca.
Little was expected in the AFL from a young Enyimba side and after suffering a 1-0 defeat at home in the first leg, it did not take long for Wydad to end any slim hopes of a revival for the Nigerian club. In the 4th minute it was El Amloud who opened the scoring when an early cross found Yahya Jabrane who headed a pass over to the wide open right back who finished past Enyimba goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.
Enyimba struggled to control the ball much less launch any potent attacks on the goal of Wydad, who continued to dominate. The visitors managed to hold out for over thirty minutes after the opener from El Amloud but their marking failed them once again in the 38th minute. Giant center back Harkass got on the end of a free kick service from Attiyat Allah and his header was initially saved by Ojo but the former Raja CA player followed up for an easy finish on the rebound.
By halftime it was 3-0 for the hosts after 2022 FIFA World Cup participant Attiyat Allah found the net. Hicham Boussefiane displayed some excellent dribbling on the left wing to find space and his low cross found the run of the left back whose finish into the roof of the net left Ojo with no chance. Wydad continued their dominance after halftime but the Enyimba defense held out valiantly to keep the score somewhat respectable.
Highlights from the second leg are below.
