The usual suspects popped up to score the goals that propelled Raja Casablanca to victory on Thursday as the second placed side in Morocco’s Botola Pro defeated Difaâ el Jadidi 2-0 to move back to within three points of rivals Wydad AC. Visitors DHJ did well to hold off the favorites in the first half while creating the occasional opportunity themselves, but Soufiane Rahimi’s goal soon after the break was symbolic of an improved second half performance before Ben Malango tallied once again to put the game away.
The opening goal came from a surgical buildup by the hosts RAC as right back Abdelilah Madkour put Zakaria Habti into space on the flank, the winger accelerating by a DHJ defender to the end line before cutting back low for Rahimi. The playmaker made no mistake on his close range finish by easily passing the ball into the net by goalkeeper Soufiane Barrouhou to make it 1-0 to the hosts in the 49th minute.
Madkour initiated the attack that led to the second goal as well, cutting inside before his pass led to a backheel that found its way to Congolese striker Ben Malango. Big Ben used his left foot to place a shot low and beyond Barrouhou and into the corner of the DHJ goal, making it five league matches in a row now where Malango has scored for Raja. Malango now has 14 goals in 21 Botola Pro appearances this season to extend his league leading total.
Highlights of the goals are below.
