Raja Casablanca recorded the biggest result of the opening round of 2022-23 CAF Champions League group stage with a 5-0 win over Vipers of Uganda on Friday.
The Moroccan giants wasted little time at Stade Mohamed V with Hamza Khabba giving them the lead in just the fifth minute of play. Jarmal Harkass, Mohamed Zrida, Yousri Bouzek and Roger Aholou all went on to record their names on the scoresheet to give Raja early command of Group C.
In the battle of North African giants on Friday, Algerian side Belouizdad claimed a 1-0 Group D win away at Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek thanks to Cameroonian forward, Leonel Wamba’s penalty in the 57th minute.
Saturday began with 2016 Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns getting the better of 10 man Sudanese side Al Hilal Omdurman 1-0 in Group B. Cassius Mailula was the hero for the Brazilians with his 25th minute strike. Al Hilal were reduced to 10 men after defender Altayeb Abaker was given a second yellow card for a foul.
In Group A, Algerian side JS Kabylie denied Petro Atletico de Luanda making home advantage count but holding the Angolan capital club to a goalless draw.
Four-time Champions League winners Esperance got off to a good start but needed a late goal from Mohamed Amine Tougai to secure a 1-0 win over Al-Merrreikh of Sudan in Group D. The final game of the weekend saw Guinean powerhouse Horoya claim a 1-0 win over Tanzania counterparts Simba SC via Pape Ndiaye. He had the chance to make it 2-0 with 18 minutes left to play but missed from the penalty spot.
The 2022/23 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL is back with a bang! 🔥
Here are matchday 1 results.👇 pic.twitter.com/Mb3NhYRuDz
— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) February 12, 2023
Round two of Champions League group phase fixtures will see Al Merreikh host Zamalek while Cameroon giants Coton Sport take on Sundowns in Garoua.
It will be a North African affair with JS Kabylie taking on Wydad Casablanca and Belouizdad up against Esperance. Al Hilal Omdurman will host Egyptian neighbours and most successful CAF Champions League team Al Ahly while DR Congo side AS Vita will also host Angolan neighbours Petro Atletico de Luanda.
Vipers will hope to get their campaign on track when they host Horoya at St Mary’s Stadium-Kitende in Entebbe.
All fixtures will take place between February 17 and 18.
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