CAF CUP: WYDAD FORCED TO DRAW BY STADE MALIEN
In a match crucial for the 2nd day of the African Football Confederation Cup (CAF) group stage, Wydad de Casablanca settled for a 1-1 draw against Stade Malien, while Djoliba from Mali faced a similar fate against AC Léopards.
Wydad missed a significant opportunity to take the lead in Group B, as they were held to a draw (1-1) on Saturday at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca while hosting Stade Malien in the 2012 edition of the CAF Cup. Despite being well-positioned on the field, Wydad attempted to make inroads on the sides through El Mnasfi, Lakhal, and Issen before converging back towards the center. However, the Malian defense held firm and launched effective counterattacks. Two minutes before halftime, Yassine Lakhal unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, igniting the joy of the numerous supporters.
Upon returning from the locker room, instead of capitalizing on the galvanizing effect of the goal before the break, Wydad aimed to control the pace of the match and secure a favorable result. However, the lines became less compact, and the increasing number of dangerous shots from Malian players put Wydad under pressure. Three minutes from the end of the match, central defender Moussa Coulibaly of Stade Malien headed in a well-balanced free kick, equalizing the score.
Simultaneously, Djoliba AC from Bamako also played to a 1-1 draw against Congolese side AC Léopards. The Congolese team from Dolisie took the lead through their captain Guelord Bhebey Ndey, but Djoliba managed to restore parity midway through the second half, courtesy of Alou Bagayoko.
Looking ahead to the 3rd day, Wydad will face Djoliba AC on September 2 in Bamako, while Stade Malien will host AC Léopards on September 1 in Bamako. At this stage, errors could prove fatal as teams vie for advancement in the competition.
