Raja Casablanca maintained their one-point lead at the top of the Botola Pro standings with a victory on Thursday but rivals Wydad remain on their tail with a game still to make up. The Greens couldn’t find an opening goal in the first half without star striker Ben Malango in the starting lineup, but midfielder Soufiane Rahimi provided the 50th minute opener with a perfect low penalty kick that went just beyond Rapide Oued Zem keeper Mehdi Ouaya before an own goal 18 minutes from time put Raja beyond reach.
For Wydad, regular goalscorer Ayoub El Kaabi made the difference in a tight match against a Youssoufia Berrechid side desperate to climb out of the relegation zone. Following a scoreless first half, El Kaabi delivered a trademark bicycle kick in the 50th minute from a Muaid Ellafi cross, a spectacular strike from the striker who brings a devastating combination of power and speed that continues to terrorize defenses. Wydad held off a furious rally from CAYB to obtain the three points following El Kaabi’s strike.
CAF Super Cup runners-up RS Berkane have struggled with their goalscoring all season, but the side outfitted in orange and green tallied three goals for the first time since December in their 3-1 victory over Mouloudia Oujda. Hamdi Laachir scored first in the 8th minute with Zakaria Hadraf and Amine El Kass finding the net in the second half. MCO received a red card in the first half but still managed to make the match suspenseful by equalizing early in the second half before succumbing to their disadvantage in numbers.
Highlights from all three of Thursday’s games are below. Berkane move into the top ten and sit in ninth place while Mouloudia Oujda remain in fifth place.
Youssoufia Berrechid 0-1 Wydad Casablanca
Rapide Oued Zem 0-2 Raja Casablanca
RS Berkane 3-1 Mouloudia Oujda