Moroccan giants Wydad AC emerged victorious in the high-stake CAF Confederation Cup third round of the group stage on Sunday night.
The match, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca ended 1-0 in favour of Wydad AC, courtesy Mohamed Moufid strike in the dyeing embers of the game. The first half of the match ended in a draw, as both teams struggled to find the back of the net.
The Moroccan giants dominated possession from the opening exchanges, pushing Maniema Union deep into their own half as they searched for an early breakthrough.
Despite Wydad’s territorial control, clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the first half, with the visitors defending in numbers and frustrating the home side’s attacking rhythm. Maniema Union occasionally threatened on the counter, but Wydad’s back line remained composed, ensuring the score stayed level at the break.
After the restart, Wydad increased the tempo, committing more players forward and stretching the Congolese side across the pitch. Several half-chances followed as crosses and long-range efforts tested Maniema Union’s defensive resolve, while the visitors relied on discipline and resilience to keep the hosts at bay.
The decisive moment finally arrived in the 81st minute, when Mohamed Moufid found space inside the area and calmly finished, sending the Casablanca crowd into celebration and breaking the deadlock in a tense encounter.
Maniema Union attempted to respond in the closing stages, pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Wydad managed the game well, slowing the tempo and protecting their narrow advantage with experience and composure. The final whistle confirmed a valuable win for the Moroccan side.
The result strengthens Wydad AC’s position in the group, boosting their confidence and qualification hopes, while Maniema Union were left to rue missed opportunities after a disciplined but ultimately unrewarded performance.
After three matches, Wydad AC find themselves in the first position in Group B with 9 points, followed by Maniema Union with 6 points. Tania’s outfit Azam FC occupies third spot with three points, while Nairobi United sit bottom without a point.
