The group stage of the 2017 Confederation of African Football Champions League began over the weekend with only two Liberians participating in the continent’s premier club competition after Liberian club, Barrack Young Controllers, was booted out of the competition in the first round qualifiers by the Mozambican Clube Ferravario de Beira.
The competition kicked off over the weekend with eight games being played between four different groups. Of the eight matches played, there were five winners, of which Liberian international striker William Jebor’s Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca, was a part. The Moroccan Botola Pro League leaders began their competition with a hard fought 2-0 over Cameroonian side Conton Sport de Garoua.
Jebor, who had been very instrumental in front of the goal in the Moroccan league with 18 goals, was the man to steal the show at Casablanca’s Stade Mohammed V. The former El Giash striker scored a stunner in the 39th minute to help his side go to the first half break with a 1-0 win. Jebor, who is noted for scoring classical goals, showed his class yet again when he received a header pass from Abdeladim Khadrouf to strike with his right foot to set the stadium ablaze.
Khadrouf headed the ball, it bounced once and Jebor was on time between two of Conton Sport’s defenders to put his right foot into the ball from within the penalty area to beat Cameroonian goalkeeper Daouda Ibrahima.
The goal was enough to send Wydad to the break with a comfortable lead before returning to get their second in the 63rd minute through Moroccan center defender Amine Atouchi. Playing away from home, Conton Sports failed to register a goal and they returned home empty handed.
The Moroccan heavyweights are now seated on top of Group D with three points, two more than second-placed Zanaco Football Club and third placed Egyptian Premier League side Al Ahly, who both played to a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, the competition’s defending champions, the Mamelodi Sundowns, began their title defense on a very poor note as they were held to a goalless draw by underrated Ethiopian premier league side, St. George Sports Club.
Despite playing a home, the South African ABSA Premiership side was unable to register a goal against a club that was playing in their first group stage of the CAF competition. Their disappointing draw at home leaves them second from bottom in Group C with one point.
Featured photo by Wyad Casablanca
