Botola Pro: Wydad continue slide after late concession

Ramiro Vaca struck in the first half for Wydad Casablanca but The Red Castle allowed their lead to slip in a disappointing 1-1 Botola Pro draw at home against Difaâ el Jadida.

It is truly a difficult period for WAC and new head coach Patrice Carteron, who now has a defeat and a draw in his first two matches with the Moroccan giants.

Vaca, in his first match back since suffering World Cup qualifying disappointment with Bolivia, resumed strong form for his club. The playmaker received a pass after Walid Nassi’s surging run on the right flank and got the ball onto his right foot before firing a low shot past DHJ and Mauritania national team goalkeeper Babacar Niasse.

But the visitors did produce some danger for the home defense in the first half, only being thwarted by poor finishing. WAC forward Wissam Ben Yedder could have doubled the lead in the first half stoppage time but Niasse benefited from a timely deflection.

And after halftime the match remained even. Moments after hitting the post, DHJ were given a penalty kick after Abdellah Ziani was taken down in the box and substitute Mouad Mouchtanim made no mistake by putting his spot kick into the top corner.

 

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Former Zamalek boss Carteron will feel the pressure after a poor start to life in Casablanca, where the club’s big spending before the ongoing campaign has left supporters desiring multiple trophies.

A premature exit in the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup, along with an injury to star Hakim Ziyech on Carteron’s coaching debut in a 0-1 defeat at FUS Rabat, has only added to the disillusionment.

Despite this, Wydad are tied atop of the Botola Pro table with Casablanca rivals Raja and Rabat’s AS FAR. Multiple delays to the season in Morocco’s top flight due to the country’s hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations means that Carteron still has time to right the ship.