Raja Casablanca secured a vital 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, January 4, in Group B of the 2024-2025 CAF Champions League.
The win, which came in front of their home fans, reignited the Moroccan club’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the competition.
Facing an uphill battle after three matches, Raja Casablanca knew they needed a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The pressure was on, but the team responded with a crucial three points that breathed new life into their campaign.
From the outset, Raja Casablanca looked to impose their game on the South African visitors, creating several attacking opportunities.
However, they struggled to break down Mamelodi Sundowns’ defense, and the match remained goalless for much of the first half.
The turning point came just before the break when Sundowns were reduced to 10 men in the 40th minute, providing the Moroccan side with a significant advantage.
Taking full advantage of the numerical superiority, Raja Casablanca found the breakthrough in the second minute of added time (45’+2), as Benaissa Benamar scored the all-important goal, sending the home crowd into raptures.
In the second half, Raja Casablanca pressed to extend their lead but was unable to convert further chances.
Despite not adding a second, they maintained their defensive solidity and saw out the match to secure the 1-0 victory.
Benamar’s goal proved to be the difference, and the defender was hailed as the match’s hero.
The result moved Raja Casablanca into third place in Group B with four points, just one behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who remain in second with five.
AS FAR Rabat leads the group with eight points, while Maniema Union sits at the bottom with three.
The win has reignited Raja Casablanca’s hopes of qualification, but with two crucial fixtures remaining, the group remains wide open.
The next rounds of matches promise to be pivotal, and every point will be crucial as the teams vie for a spot in the knockout stages.
