Guinean champions Horoya and South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs both did enough to come out with 1-0 victories on Saturday to keep their hopes alive for qualification to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. Both teams remain on eight points behind Group C leaders Wydad Casablanca, and will face each other in Conakry for the final match to determine who will join the Moroccan side in advancing from the group.
Horoya and Angola’s Petro de Luanda were mostly wasteful with their opportunities but an early poached goal from Sekou Camara made the difference. In the second minute the 19-year-old midfielder rose up to meet a Seyei Sebe Baffour free-kick and his header took a slight deflection on its way into the Petro goal. The hosts struggled with the opportunities they created as Brazilian forward Tiago Azulao continued to lack the finishing touch and Horoya escaped with three points despite an average performance.
In Johannesburg visitors Wydad did not even bother to bring the majority of their first team squad and manager, creating an excellent opportunity for Kaizer Chiefs to get three points. The hosts did get the win but not nearly in the manner coach Gavin Hunt was hoping for. Wydad’s reserves grew into the match and were given a numerical advantage when Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was judged to have intentionally handled a ball outside his penalty area, resulting in a 41st minute red card.
Long time South Africa national team starter Itumelang Khune came in and watch the subsequent free-kick brush his post as it went by. After the halftime break Chiefs showed grit and veteran forward Bernard Parker ended a 714-day goal drought to bring Amakhosi the three points. In the 48th minute Khune delivered a laser of a throw down the left flank that gave Nkosingiphile Ngcobo plenty of space to launch a cross in. The ball was deflected high in the air by a Wydad defender before Parker leaned into a header that bounced just beyond the goalkeeper.
Despite a second yellow card for striker Samir Nurkovic to bring Chiefs down to nine players in the 89th minute the hosts held out for the victory. With Wydad safely into the quarter-finals, it will come down to the last match as Horoya host Chiefs in a week. A draw or a victory will send the Guinean side through with goal differential on their side. Highlights from both games are below.
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Wydad Casablanca
Petro de Luanda 0-1 Horoya