Botola Pro: Wydad win, Benjdida comes back to bite Raja

Friday saw double the agony for Raja Casablanca supporters who watched rivals Wydad win while their team let points slip away due to a last minute equalizer in the Botola Pro.

Furthermore, a graduate of Raja’s youth academy was the player to steal a point off his former team and end new Raja coach Fadlu Davids’ winning start. Soufiane Benjdida, who made his name with Raja before returning to Morocco after a spell in Belgium, scored in the tenth minute of second half stoppage time as Maghreb Fez came back to draw 1-1 with The Green Eagles.

A shot attempt saw the Raja defense commit a foul in the penalty area and Benjdida fired his spot kick low past Raja goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar before showing respect by refusing to celebrate. Born and raised in Casablanca, the 24-year-old now has two goals in four matches since returning to Moroccan football with MAS who continue to emerge as a team to watch this season.

Wydad move past Raja to top Botola Pro table

Wydad moved to the top of the Botola Pro table for now with a 3-1 victory at COD Meknès.

Thembinkosi Lorch assisted Congolese midfielder Joseph Bakasu for his first goal in Moroccan football before the South African attacker scored his second of the season to put the visitors 2-0 ahead in the 35th minute.

After CODM pulled a goal back before halftime, the hosts pushed for an equalizer but in an even match it was Wydad who emerged victorious. Hamza Hannouri continued his strong start to life in Casablanca since joining from capital side FUS Rabat, scoring his third goal in two matches to secure the three points.

Wydad now lead the table with ten points from four matches. Defending champions RS Berkane will have an opportunity to move level with a win on Sunday while Maghreb Fez remain level with Raja two points back of Wydad.