CAFCC: Olympique de Safi grind out victory at Djoliba

Moroccan domestic cup champions Olympique de Safi edged Mali’s Djoliba 1-0 to kick off action in Group A from the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) on Sunday at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako.

Salaheddine Errahouli’s first half strike was just enough for the visitors from Morocco, who qualified for the competition by virtue of winning the Coupe du Trône last season. OCS put an end to a five-match losing streak in all competitions with Sunday’s victory.

Neither team showed much potential to score in the first half but OCS took the lead. A midfield interception sparked a counter-attack in the 29th minute and Sofian El Moudane set up Errahouli on the left wing, who unleashed a fierce strike past Djoliba goalkeeper Wilfried Kouassi at his near post.

The Malian hosts looked more dangerous in the second half but failed to find an equalizer. The closest Djoliba came to leveling the score was midway through the second half when Aboubacar Sidibe rattled the crossbar from close range.

Despite creating multiple opportunities, the hosts will now have to bounce back next Sunday when they travel to face fellow West African club FC San Pédro in Ivory Coast. OCS, despite currently sitting at the bottom of the table in Morocco’s Botola Pro, now have three points ahead of their second Group A fixture on Friday at home against Algeria’s USM Alger.

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