The semifinals of the 2018-19 CAF Champions League began on Friday, April 26 with a classical fight between South African side Mamelodi Sundowns of Liberian international Anthony Snoti Laffor and Moroccan giant Wydad Casablanca, home to Liberia’s goal machine William Jebor.
Both players were unable to be part of the game, but Jebor’s Wydad was triumphant with a 2-1 win at home. Moroccan midfielder Salaheddine Saidi gave Wydad the lead in the 26th minute but the Sundowns leveled the score three minutes to the end of the first half though South African defender, Anele Ngcongo. Badie Aouk handed the Moroccans the match’s winning goal two minutes after the start of the second half and prevented the South African from scoring again as they clinched the three important points heading into the return leg in Pretoria on Saturday, May 4.
The two Liberian internationals were out for different reasons – Laffor didn’t make the Sundowns’ traveling team to Morocco as he is being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The former LISCR FC forward had an operation on his knee, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Jebor had no part to play in the match after he was left out of the starting team. Since returning to Wydad Casablanca in the 2018 summer transfer period, Jebor has played just 13 out of Wydad’s 25 games played in the 2018-19 Botola Pro League. He registered three goals an assist in the 13 games and scored once in three CAF Champions League games.
Featured photo courtesy of the Mamelodi Sundowns
