Lobi hold Wydad to keep quarter-final hopes alive

Pulse News Agency International by AFP

February 12, 2019 10:29 PM

Nigerian side Lobi Stars took an unexpected away point off Wydad Casablanca of Morocco Tuesday in a CAF Champions League 0-0 draw to keep alive hopes of a quarter-finals place.

Lobi Stars claimed a 0-0 draw in Morocco

Twice African champions Wydad beat Lobi in west Africa this month and were favoured to collect a further three Group A points with home advantage in matchday four.

Wydad, coached by veteran Tunisian Faouzi Benzarti and fielding 10 Moroccans plus Ivorian defender Cheick Comara in their starting line-up, dominated possession and territory.

But they made little impression on a highly disciplined Lobi defence backed by physically imposing goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode.

Wydad had a chance to snatch all three points deep in stoppage time only for a poor free-kick to strike the wall.

The lacklustre set-piece summed up a frustrating night for the home side, who were crowned African champions in 1992 and again two years ago.

On this showing, the Casablanca club will not be celebrating a third success in the elite African club competition this season.

They do, however, remain Group A co-leaders on seven points with 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who occupy first place on head-to-head records having beaten Wydad.

Lobi want to become only the second Nigerian winners of the Champions League after Enyimba, who achieved back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004.

While they and ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast, who were held 0-0 in Abidjan by Sundowns, trail the leaders by three points, all is far from lost for them, especially Lobi.

A draw at Sundowns next month followed by a home win over ASEC would take them through, provided Wydad defeated the South Africans in Morocco on the final matchday.

The ASEC-Sundowns clash offered little entertainment in the Ivorian commercial capital with goalkeepers Abdoul Karim Cisse and Denis Onyango virtual onlookers.

Nothing to celebrate

Sundowns, who travelled to west Africa five days before the match to get used to the hot conditions, were happy with the result.

"I predicted we would take at least four points off ASEC from the two matches between us and I was spot on," coach Pitso Mosimane reminded reporters.

The other South African contenders, Orlando Pirates, had nothing to celebrate after slumping 2-0 away to trophy-holders Esperance of Tunisia and dropping two places to third in Group B.

Esperance lead with eight points thanks to goals from Anice Badri and Haythem Jouini and superb goalkeeping by Wayne Sandilands prevented the Soweto side suffering a heavier loss.

Horoya of Guinea rose to second, a point below Esperance and two above Pirates, after a 2-0 home win over Platinum of Zimbabwe via goals from captain Ocansey Mandela and Yakubu Hudu.

Esperance seem set to progress and for Pirates to survive they will have to beat Platinum at home and avoid defeat away to Horoya, assuming the Guineans lose in Tunisia.

Group D is wide open after Simba of Tanzania edged record eight-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt 1-0 and JS Saoura of Algeria pipped V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo by the same score.

Rwandan Meddie Kagere scored the Simba winner on 65 minutes in Dar es Salaam and Saoura left it late to secure maximum points, Ziri Hammar netting 12 minutes from time in Bechar.

Ahly have seven points, Simba six, Saoura five and V Club four with each club having two matches remaining, one at home and one away.

After being humiliated 8-0 this month by TP Mazembe in DR Congo, Club Africain of Tunisia drew 0-0 at home in a Group C rematch, their first game under new French coach Victor Zvunka.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

Pulse News Agency International by AFP