CAF Champions League: Lobi Stars hold Wydad to goalless draw in Casablanca

Wed, Feb 13, 2019 | By publisher


Sports

LOBI Stars Football Club of Makurdi on Tuesday held hosts Wydad Casablanca of Morocco to a goalless draw in their fourth group game of the CAF Champions League.

The 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title-holders came into the crucial game needing at least a point against Wydad Casablanca to stand a chance of qualifying from the group stage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lobi Stars had suffered a shock 0-1 defeat at home to Wydad Casablanca in their third group game of the competition.

ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa played out a goalless draw in the other group encounter, thereby leaving Lobi Stars with a mountain to climb.

The Group A game played at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca saw the hosts dominate possession from start to finish and had more of their opponents’ shots in the encounter.

But they could not find a goal to secure the needed three points at home.

Unlike the first leg which saw a Mohamed Nahiri penalty kick in the 20th minute give Wydad Casablanca all three points, Lobi Stars did well.

They put in a more disciplined collective display this time around for a performance in name in defence to earn a point in Morocco.

The visitors literally “parked the bus” in the first half with goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode pulling off a big save in the 14th minute`.

That was when he first blocked a dangerous free kick, before the rebound was headed directly back at him.

After the interval, the Makurdi-based club side opened up a bit.

They created a few anxious moments for their hosts as they continued to play on the front foot and enjoy more of the ball.

Goalkeeper Kayode again pulled off a series of saves to keep his team in this contest.

The result meant all four teams in the group could still progress to the knockout stage of the competition.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca both top the group with seven points, while ASEC Mimosas and Lobi Stars have four points each.

ASEC Mimosas will now take on Wydad Casablanca in their next group game, while Mamelodi Sundowns host Lobi Stars in the fifth group game for each side.

 

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