Wydad back to losing ways as ASEC Mimosas book place in Champions League knockout stage
Faouzi Benzarti’s return to Wydad Casablanca as coach started with Wydad Casablanca returning to their losing ways away to a determined Simba SC. Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas are into the CAF Champions League knockout stage for the first time since 2006 after beating a blundering Jwaneng Galaxy. Meenwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns picked a crucial win in Cairo and took personal digs at striker Fiston Mayele.
Benzarti’s stint with Wydad Casablanca was a sad one as Simba SC made light work of his charges in Tanzania. Esomba Onana collected a well-deserved brace in the 2-0 win which was almost one-sided. Amazingly, Wydad still have a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals, despite losing three of the four games played so far.
While Wydad suffers, ASEC Mimosas became the first team to book a spot in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 home win over Jwaneng Galaxy. The Botswana team were their own worst enemies with a scattering of defensive errors that were punished ruthlessly. Galaxy remain on four points, one less than Simba and one more than Wydad.
Mamelodi Sundowns grinded out a win in Cairo over Pyramids FC thanks to trademark Teboho Mokoena long range shot. After the scorer and his coach took pot shots at Pyramids FC striker, Fiston Mayele who had earlier in the week posted about his visa denial for Mamelodi Sundowns’ home encounter.
“Football is not played on Twitter(now known as X), football is played on the pitch,” was coach Mokwena’s take while Teboho Mokoena posted, “You were saying?” under Mayele’s original post.
Group A remains open with TP Mazembe also collecting three points against FC Nouadhibou thanks to a late brace from Chieck Fofana. Sundowns and Mazembe are on seven points while Pyramids and Nouadhibou chase on four points each.
It’s as you were in Group C after both matches ended in draws. Esperance de Tunis setup defensively from the start of the match away to Petro du Luanda and a dull 0-0 ensured. Esperance’s compatriots, ES Sahel were slightly more attacking and led Al Hilal of Sudan until a Salah Barhoumi injury time equaliser saw the points being shared. Petro and Esperance currently occupying the quarterfinals spots.
With defending champions Al Ahly away on Club World Cup duties, Group D remains the same as well. Medeama has a chance to go top of the group away to Young Africans on Wednesday afternoon with a win. Yanga will be looking to add three points to the two already in the bag.
