Botola Pro: Wydad beats AS FAR to energize CAF Champions League hopes

Wydad Casablanca secured a valuable 2-1 victory over AS FAR this Saturday evening at the Mohammed V Stadium, as part of the 28th round of the Botola Pro Inwi. This victory allows the Reds to come back to within three points of their opponents of the day and rekindle the battle for second place.

From the opening minutes, both teams displayed their attacking intentions, creating several chances. WAC nearly opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Ghanaian striker Samuel Opoku Obeng came close with a header.

Relief finally came in the 31st minute when Obeng, well-positioned in the box, fired a powerful shot past goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani to give Wydad the lead.

After the break, AS FAR increased their pressure. In the 51st minute, Youssef Fahli came close to equalizing, but his effort was superbly saved by Wydad goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid. The Militaires' efforts were finally rewarded in the 57th minute, thanks to a goal from Abdelfattah Hadraf, who produced an opportunistic finish in the box.

But Wydad wasn't about to stop there. Ten minutes later, Thembinkosi Lorch restored the lead with a well-constructed move, sealing the outcome of the match despite repeated attempts by AS FAR.

With this victory, WAC's total to 48 points and moved within three points of AS FAR, who finished second with 51 points. The battle for qualification spots in African competitions promises to be intense throughout the remainder of the season.

EDITOR NOTE: This article is translated from the original written in French by Omar Chraibi for Pan-Africa Football.