Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) of Casablanca secured their first victory in the Confederation Cup group stage, reigniting hopes of qualifying for the semifinals. The breakthrough came on the 5th day of group B, where Wydad AC triumphed over AC Léopard with a 3-1 scoreline.
After enduring two draws and two defeats, the Moroccan team faced AC Léopards from Congo at the Mohamed V Complex this Saturday. The opening goal arrived in the 20th minute, with Ivorian Bakary Koné, assisted by Younes Houassi, overcoming the Congolese goalkeeper (1-0). The score held until halftime. In the early minutes of the second half, Bakr El Hilali extended Wydad’s lead with a powerful shot from 25 meters (54′). In the 74th minute, Rudy Guelord seized an opportunity from a Moroccan defensive lapse, narrowing the score. However, Abderrazak Lemnasfi sealed the victory for WAC in the dying moments of the match.
This triumph positions Wydad de Casablanca in 3rd place in Group B, trailing AC Léopards by just one point. The quest for a spot in the semifinals hinges on the upcoming clash in Bamako against Stade Malien on the final day. The outcome also depends on the result of the match between group leader Djoliba from Bamako (already qualified) and the Leopards in Dolisie.
Wydad’s advancement to the next stage requires a victory coupled with a defeat or draw for the Congolese side. The lone Moroccan representative in the Club Cups faces a challenging task against Stade Malien, and the uncertainty is heightened by the fact that the second Malian team could also secure a spot in the final four by winning the Malian derby, which is being contested today. The stage is set for a suspenseful and decisive finale.
