Result: Kaizer Chiefs Wydad Casablanca 0-1
Date: June 19, 2021.
Location: Mohamed V Stadium
In the first half-final of their CAF Champions League, Kaizer Chiefs scored a critical 1-0 win over Wydad Casablanca.
Chiefs made three changes from TS Galaxy winning as they recalled Siyabonga Ngezana, Yagan Sasman and Njabulo Blom while shoot-stopper Itumeleng Khune was not in the game roster despite the team being traveled with.
After selecting only 3 attackers in the line-up, absorbed the pressure and only searching for break opportunities, Amakhosi’s objectives were evident since the start, aggravating Wydad in the early minutes.
However, just before the half hour mark after a cross Mohammed Ellafi powered a target header, the hosts nearly broke the deadlock. But goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma saved a huge reflection.
The Soweto giants caught Wydad on a counterattack ten minutes before the halftime when the blade broke off on the right side and played Samir Nurkovic’s square pass, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded the distance after the Linesman was initially rejected offside.
Chiefs nevertheless sat down in number and were almost punished half-time as Walid El Karti launched a rocket from just outside the box, but Bvuma was there to save them.
With Wydad building up but not finding room after the break in the closing third, visitors were forced to change the timing when Sasman was hurt and Philani Zulu replaced him.
After that, Aymane El Hassouni unleashed a scuffle from a box outside the bar brilliantly tipped by Bvuma. Faouzi Benzarti’s troops came close to snatching the equalizer.
The chiefs were just camped inside their own half and Achraf Dari almost equalized 20 minutes before the hosts had crossed the bar in front of Bvuma.
Zwane took on Kearyn Baccus and Anthony Akumu when Chiefs were determined to pick up a goal and lead to FNB in a week.
This is how they began:
Leaders: Bvuma, Frosler, Blom, Nurkovic, Ngezana, Cardoso, Parker, Katsande, Castro.
Subs: Baccus, Akpeyi, Zulu, Matsheke, Kambole, Akumu, Mashiane, Moleko, Ngcobo.
Watch Kaizer Chiefs’ full highlights here:
https://youtu.be/AZeCZwA3-oY
