Playing against North African sides is now the ultimate test for every side from the WAFU Zone. Ghanaian champions Samartex welcomed Moroccan champ
Playing against North African sides is now the ultimate test for every side from the WAFU Zone.
Ghanaian champions Samartex welcomed Moroccan champions Raja Casablanca to the Accra Aports Stadium for the first leg of the play off of the CAF Champions League.
A tough fixture was expected and it lived up to its hype. Raja Casablanca in their 4th visit to Ghana in the CAF Champions League history had never won in any of the previous three hence Samartex needed to protect that legacy made by Obuasi Goldfields, Accra Hearts of Oak and Berekum Chelsea in 1997,1999 and 2012 respectively.
Goldfields won 1-0, Hearts of Oak drew goalless while Berekum Chelsea emphatically won 5-0.
The job was huge even though a defeat was not expected for the Timber Giants. Mohammed Zrida in the 19th minute stunned the home team to put Raja ahead.
Francis Gyetuah and Micheal Ephson in the 37th and 44th minute respectively ensured that Samartex was ahead by the end of the first half. What an incredible lead it was for the Samraboi-based club.
Samartex needed to defend well to prevent Raja Casablanca from scoring, that was the first task. The second task for Nurudeen Amadu’s side was to find another goal to travel to Morocco with at least a two goal lead.
All these plans were destroyed in the 63rd minute with Raja scoring to make the scoreline 2-2. The Moroccans were extremely delighted to have secured a draw and especially scoring two away goals at the end of the final whistle.
Raja Casablanca now has a huge advantage ahead of the second leg in Morocco as the away goal rule is in full swing in CAF competitions.
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