CAF Champions League: Wydad Target Quarterfinal Berth

Wydad Casablanca will look to secure qualification for the quarterfinals of the Africa Champions League when they host USM Alger at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

The Moroccan giants come into the clash placed second in Group C, having claimed seven points from twelve thus far, while the Algerian side are fourth with just two points from their four outings at the group stage.

In their first meeting in Algiers in November 30, the two sides settled for a one-all draw, in what was the third meeting between the two sides in Africa’s elite club competition in the last three years, with USM yet to taste victory.

Wydad did not immediately react to the draw as they went on to play to a goalless stalemate against Mamelodi Sundowns, before registering their first win three days to the new year, beating Petro du Luanda 4-1.

They went on and were shocked by Petro when they were held to a 2-2 in Luanda, a result that led to the sacking of coach Zoran Manojlovic earlier this month.

Sebastien Desabre was announced as Manojlovic’s replacement and the Frenchman will be on the touchline on Friday.

However, the key driver for the Moroccans is the chance to secure qualification for the knockout phase.

A win over USMA would take them to 10 points on the log, and that will be unreachable by forth placed Petro du Luanda, even if the Angolan side win their two remaining matches.

Meanwhile, USM Alger need to pick up their first victory of the group to keep alive their hopes of advancing into the knockout rounds for the fourth time in the past five years.

Though they have never won a single game in the group as they recently fell to Mamelodi Sundowns home and away, they are capable of staging an upset and win two remaining matches.