In an anticipated rematch, Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca and Tunisian giant Espérance de Tunis gear up to meet in the CAF Champions League semifinals, setting the stage for a high-stakes duel.
In a momentous victory, Moroccan team Wydad Casablanca bested Nigerian side Enyimba with a decisive 3-0 win in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League. With this win, Wydad is set to face Espérance de Tunis in the semifinals—a confrontation that revives memories of their previous clashes in the Champions League finals in 2011 and 2019, both of which were won by the Tunisian team.
The semifinal match was initially slated for Wednesday but was postponed to the following day for undisclosed reasons by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Memory Lane: Previous Encounters
This upcoming clash isn’t the first high-stakes meeting between the two titans of African football. The teams met in the Champions League finals in both 2011 and 2019, with Espérance de Tunis coming out on top on both occasions. The winner of this matchup will move on to the tournament’s grand finale to compete against the victor of the other semi-final bout between Egypt’s Al Ahly, the current title-holder, and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Overcoming Obstacles
Despite several key absences, including Senegalese striker Bouli Sambo and Congolese defender Arsen Zola, Wydad Casablanca demonstrated resilience. Playing at their home ground, Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, the Moroccan squad appeared unscathed by these player gaps. Their swift control over the game was evident as they opened the scoring early on—a move initiated by international full-back Yahya Attyeh Allah.
The referee confirmed the goal after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), initially having ruled it offside.
Dominant Wydad Seals the Deal
Wydad’s dominance was further solidified when Jamal Harkas netted a header rebounding from the goalkeeper, following a cross from Attyeh Allah. Before the first half concluded, Attyeh Allah unleashed a powerful shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net, securing a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Espérance Makes a Strong Comeback
On the other hand, Espérance de Tunis staged an impressive turnaround against their guests, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, winning with a clean sheet of 3-0 at their home ground, Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès.
Interim Espérance coach Tarek Thabit expressed confidence ahead of the semi-finals, stating, “We fear no one at this stage of the tournament.” He added that the team capitalized on the match delay, as they recognized the challenge posed by their initial loss in the first leg.
The stage is set, and the stakes are high, as both teams prepare for a showdown that promises to be a thrilling chapter in African football history.
