Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns stars Cassius Mailula and Abdelmounaim Boutouil kept Wydad AC’s hopes of qualifying for the CAF Champions League alive after a key win on Thursday night.
Wydad AC beat Jeunesse Soualem 2-0 in a match played at the Stade Municipal de Berrechid. Mailula scored a beautiful goal for The Red Castle after 29 minutes of play. And Abdelmounaim Boutouil sealed the win with a goal in the 79th minute.
Crucially, Wydad AC appears to have clicked the right gears as the 2024/25 Botola Pro 1 season nears its end. This is their second game after Rulani Mokwena was fired by the club.
Mokwena was axed by the ambitious club after they struggled in all competitions under his watch. They are set to end the season without a trophy.
WYDAD AC HOPING FOR A LAST MATCH MIRACLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
As it stands, Wydad AC are third on the Botola league log table with 51 points. And with one game remaining before the league wraps up, their fate will be sealed on the last day.
Wydad AC face Renaissance Zemamra in their last match, while AS FAR take on Hassania Union Sport Agadir. Both matches will be played on the 11th of May at 21:00.
As Wydad AC gun for a win, they will hope second-placed AS FAR drop points on their last hurdle. However, they can still qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup if they end up in third place.
Meanwhile, RS Berkane have already accounted for the league title after attaining an unassailable 67 points. In addition, Mailula has now scored four goals and provided seven assists for Wydad AC in 28 appearances for the club.
Additionally, Thembinkosi Lorch, who played a key role in Wydad AC’s win, has contributed two goals in nine appearances.
The SA duo Mailula and Lorch are set to take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where Wydad AC will be one of four sides representing Africa. The tournament kicks off in June.
Wydad AC have been drawn into Group G, where they will go head-to-head with Manchester City FC, winners of the UEFA Champions League in 2022/23.
Al Ain FC, who qualified by lifting the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, are also in the group. Furthermore, European giants Juventus FC, who booked their place via the ranking pathway, complete the Wydad group.
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