The established order has been shaken up at the level of group B of the CAF Champions League 2024-25, Saturday evening, following the home victories achieved by the two representatives of Morocco.
Leader of the group and still undefeated, theAS FAR recorded their second victory in the group stage, defeating Maniema Union (Democratic Republic of Congo), with a score of 2-0. The 4-2-3-1 proposed by Hubert Velud quickly imposed its tempo on Saturday, allowing the capital’s members to confirm their ascendancy from the first period. The left side defender Carneiro thus infiltrated the corridor in the 12th minute and served Khalid Aït Ourkhane, who transplanted without problems against a goalkeeper without, for the 1-0. The Congolese did not give up and launched some offensives, but the Defense of the Military knew how to manage the opposing reaction. The Moroccans even managed to double the lead in the 45th minute, thanks to the striking force of Amine Zouhzouh on set plays. The will-o’-the-wisp sent a missile from 30 meters, which managed to deceive the Congolese goalkeeper, although he was placed in the path of the ball.
In the second half, Maniema tried to reduce the score, but Rabiae Hraimate and company blocked all options. With a possession rate of 60% and 8 shots including 3 on target, the Military finally won thanks to their efficiency in the first half. The visitors managed to test the AS FAR defense 9 times (2 shots on target), but were never able to unlock their counter. AS FAR is now the only club in Pool B to post two victories and is 3 points ahead of its direct pursuer, Mamelodi Sundowns, who experienced an eventful evening at the Larbi Zaouli stadium on Saturday.
Raja returns the slap to Sundowns after a tense match
On a barely passable pitch at the Larbi Zaouli stadium, the Raja of Casablanca found the team that had beaten him 10 days earlier, thus causing the dismissal of the Portuguese Ricardo Sa Pinto: Mamelodi Sundowns. The Eagles took advantage of an expulsion in the ranks of the opponent in the 40th minute (Bathusi Aubaas). Defender Benaïssa Benamar opened the scoring a few minutes later, taking advantage of a defense error that was caught offside. The second half then shifted into a more muscular game and very tense exchanges between the players of the two teams and the refereeing staff, without forgetting the Raja technical staff who were very restless on the sidelines.
The match referee was therefore forced to show two other red cards, which sent Marouane Zila and Khuliso Mudau to the locker room. After 19 shots, including 7 on target, Raja finally won by the smallest of scores and thus refreshed their chances of qualifying for the next round. The RCA climbed onto the third step, just one point behind its victim on Saturday. Mohamed Zrida’s teammates will now focus their attention on the next duel, which will pit them against the group leader: AS FAR. The two Moroccan representatives will also expect a gift from Maniema United, who will host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa next Saturday.
