Wydad Casablanca recorded a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League Group A match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Saturday evening.

As a result, the Moroccan giants Wydad advanced to the quarter-finals as Group A winners, while South Africa’s Sundowns also qualified as runners-up.

Wydad were keen to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of Sundowns in South Africa on match-day two.

The hosts dominated the opening stages of the match, but they could not beat CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, Denis Onyango in Sundowns goal.

Hlompho Kekana, Sundowns’ long-range specialist, saw his effort from the edge of the box blocked just before the half-time break.

The score was 0-0 at the interval with the visitors having contained Wydad.

However, the deadlock was finally opened 17 minutes into the second-half and it was Mohamed Nahiri, who scored. 

The 27-year-old forward beat Onyango to make it 1-0 to Wydad – netting his third goal in the group stage with Michael Babatunde grabbing an assist.

Sundowns had a chance to level matters in the 78th minute after the Wydad defence was exposed.

However, Wydad keeper Ahmed Tagnaouti pulled off a decent save to deny Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento. 

The visitors launched late attacks as they looked to grab an equalizing goal with coach Pitso Mosimane having introduced attacker Sphelele Mkhulise.

Nevertheless, Wydad held onto their slender lead in the dying minutes of the match and ultimately, they secured a 1-0 victory over Sundowns.

Wydad (0) 1 (Nahiri 62′)
Sundowns (0) 0

Wydad XI: Tangaouti, Nousir, Dari, Jabrane, Nahiri, El Karti (Hassaouni 74′), Saidi (El Amloud 90’+3), Nakach, El Haddad, Babatunde (Jebor 86′), Ounnajem. 

Sundowns XI: Onyango, Morena, Arendse, Nascimento, Langerman (Mkhulise 82′), Zwane, Kekana, Mabunda, Lakay, Mahlambi (Tade 57′), Maboe.