Wydad Casablanca (WAC) will begin their campaign in the CAF Champions League this Saturday with a challenging Maghreb derby against Algerian champions USM Alger. The match, set to kick off in the first round of the group stage, promises intensity and high drama, as both North African sides look to make a strong start in the prestigious continental competition.
For Wydad Casablanca, however, the clash comes with significant challenges. The Moroccan giants will be without eight key players, a situation that complicates head coach Zoran Manojlovic’s preparations. Among those sidelined are Salah-Eddine El-Saidi, who recently underwent surgery, as well as Abdellatif Noussi and Walid El-Karthi, who continue to recover from injuries. In addition to these absences, Mohamed Nahiri, Anès Asbahi, and Yassine El-Kharoubi have been relegated to the reserve team for technical reasons, a decision made by club president Saïd El-Nassiri.
Despite these setbacks, Wydad will have one major asset available: their playmaker Yahia Jabrane. Although Jabrane is currently serving a suspension in domestic competitions, he has been cleared to participate in this opening Champions League match. His presence will be crucial, as Wydad seeks to control the midfield and create scoring opportunities against a well-organized USM Alger side.
This season, Wydad Casablanca enters the tournament with a target firmly in mind: to build on the success of last year’s campaign, where they reached the finals. The experience gained in the previous edition is expected to be invaluable, particularly in navigating high-pressure matches against seasoned opponents such as USM Alger. The Moroccan club will need to demonstrate tactical discipline, resilience, and creativity to overcome the challenge posed by their Algerian rivals.
Wydad’s group, Group C, also features South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Angola’s Petro Atlético, meaning the team faces a demanding schedule in the weeks ahead. Each match will require careful preparation, as dropping points early in the group stage could severely affect their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds. The team’s strategy will likely focus on leveraging their experience and cohesion, particularly with key players like Jabrane orchestrating play from midfield.
USM Alger, for their part, arrive with confidence, eager to take advantage of Wydad’s absences. The Algerian champions are known for their defensive solidity and rapid transitions, which could test Wydad’s backline and defensive organization. Both clubs have a rich history in African football, and this Maghreb derby is expected to deliver the intensity, passion, and competitiveness that fans have come to expect from clashes between Moroccan and Algerian teams.
As the kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on how Wydad Casablanca adapts to their depleted squad while attempting to secure a positive start in their quest for continental glory. A strong performance against USM Alger would not only set the tone for the rest of the group stage but also reaffirm Wydad’s status as one of Africa’s premier clubs.
