Andrew Olsson
May 9, 2026Wydad hold off second half charge to overcome Raja in Casablanca Derby
Wydad hold off second half charge to overcome Raja in Casablanca Derby
Joseph Bakasu’s first half strike was enough for Wydad AC to snatch all three points in the latest edition of the Casablanca Derby with Saturday’s 1-0 result over rivals Raja CA in Morocco’s top flight Botola Pro.
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The Congolese midfielder’s low first-time finish was perfect from a Salah Moussaddaq cross in the 39th minute, allowing The Red Castle to hold off a second half onslaught from their rivals to secure a massive result behind closed doors at the Stade Mohammed V.
Raja controlled the ball but failed to make use of it in the final third. Jordanian playmaker Sharara drew a foul outside the penalty area but failed to put the resulting free kick on target after Wydad keeper El Mehdi Benabid produced a couple of saves earlier in the half. With halftime approaching, it was WAC who pounced through Bakasu.
Hakim Ziyech’s free kick towards the penalty area saw the ball moved out to Moussaddaq on the left wing, who crossed low to find the midfielder for a clinical shot that gave RCA goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar no chance.
After halftime, Raja pushed furiously for an equalizer to get a result that would strengthen their hold on first place on the Botola Pro table. The best chance came in the 72nd minute when a low cross found substitute Mohamed Boulacsout but his powerful strike was repelled by Benabid. The goalkeeper continued his outstanding performance and the league leaders could not find the goal they needed.
RCA remain in first place but are now vulnerable, with one more match played while only having a one-point lead on Maghreb Fez and two points ahead of AS FAR Rabat. WAC move to within two points of their rivals with a second consecutive victory after a difficult spell that saw them drop points in six straight league matches.
