Staff Reporter.
Raja Casablanca proved too strong for CAF Champions League debutants AmaZulu on Saturday night, as the Moroccan hosts claimed a 1-0 win in their Group B opener at Stade Mohamed V.
The result sees the Green Eagles join Algeria’s ES Setif at the top of the standings on three points, while Usuthu are level with Guinea’s Horoya on zero points.
Raja settled the quicker of the two teams and nearly claimed the lead on 14 minutes, with defender Marouane Hadhoudi sending a header onto the base of the post from a right-flank cross, before the rebound was picked up by Beni Badibanga, who turned and flashed a shot just off target.
On 34 minutes the Green Eagles threatened again, with a slick move on the counter attack seeing Badibanga get away a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, but AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa made a fine save diving to his right.
Raja should have claimed the lead in injury time before the interval, as Mohamed Zrida teed up Kadima Kabangu with a clear sight of goal, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Mothwa.
The South African then went up the other end of the field and were inches away from breaking the deadlock, as Augusting Mulenga and Thabo Qalinge set up Makhehlene Makhaula to fire a shot which had the beating of Raja goalkeeper Marouane Fakhr but crashed back off the upright.
AmaZulu had the first clear chance of the second half, with a fine passing move six minutes after the restart putting Qalinge into a shooting position, but he dragged a low effort wide of the mark.
Raja dialled up the attacking pressure as the second half progressed and on 67 minutes they claimed the lead, with Mohsine Moutaouli cutting inside from the right and exchanging passes in the penalty area before sliding a low shot through Mothwa’s legs for 1-0.
The North African side, once their lead was established, showed their experience and craft in slowing down the game and blunting AmaZulu’s efforts to get back into the contest – even with the visitors throwing on the likes of Abrahama Majok, Keagan Buchanan, Tshepang Moremi and Luvoyo Memela in an attempt to spark their attack.
Ultimately the match ended 1-0 in favour of Raja Casablanca, with Usuthu left to reflect on lessons learned the hard way against experienced and canny opponents.
The teams will be back in CAFCL Group B action next weekend, with AmaZulu hosting Guinean club Horoya AC and Raja visiting Algeria’s ES Setif.
Saturday also featured a crushing 4-0 win for Esperance de Tunis over group stage debutants Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana. Mohamed Ben Romdhane scored a hat-trick for the Blood and Gold, who took firm control of Group C.
Elsewhere, Algeria’s ES Setif claimed a valuable 1-0 win in Conakry over Guinean side Horoya AC – with a goal early in the second half from Ahmed Kendouci – while the surprise result of the weekend came in Cairo where Zamalek were held 2-2 by Petro de Luanda.
Friday’s action featured an impressive opening to Group D proceedings for Wydad Casablanca, who crushed Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca 3-0 in Morocco thanks to goals from Achraf Dari, Yahya Jabrane and Guy Mbenza.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns also got off to a fine start in Group A by defeating Al Hilal of Sudan 1-0 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium – with an early goal from Themba Zwane – while Group C’s north African derby between Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel and Algerian side CR Belouizdad ended in a goalless stalemate.
Matchday 2 will be played next weekend (Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February), and will feature the return of reigning African kings Al Ahly. The Egyptian giants’ Matchday 1 fixture against Al Merrikh was postponed to early next month due to their participation in the Fifa Club World Cup.
CAF Champions League Results
Friday 11 February
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Al Hilal
Etoile du Sahel 0-0 CR Belouizdad
Wydad Casablanca 3-0 Sagrada Esperanca
Saturday 12 February
Horoya AC 0-1 ES Setif
Raja Casablanca 1-0 AmaZulu
Esperance de Tunis 4-0 Jwaneng Galaxy
Zamalek 2-2 Petro de Luanda.