Olympique Safi Eliminates Wydad and Advances to the Semifinals of the Confederation Cup
Olympique Safi secured a spot in the semifinals of the African Confederation Cup following a 2-2 draw against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday evening at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, benefiting from the away goals rule.
The match started at a fast pace, and Olympique Safi opened the scoring in the 40th minute through Soufiane Lmouden via a penalty. However, Wydad quickly equalized through Mohamed Mofid in the 45+9 minute, ending the first half in a positive draw.
The game took a decisive turn when Wydad’s goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid was sent off in the 24th minute after a challenge on Olympique Safi’s Imad Khnous, disrupting the home side’s plans.
In the second half, both teams continued searching for a decisive goal, and Olympique Safi thought they had scored their second in the 87th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Nevertheless, the team from Safi snatched a last-minute winner in the 90th minute through Moussa Kone.
Before the final whistle, Wydad attempted to level the score again, with Hakim Ziyech converting a direct free kick in the 90+7 minute, but the goal was not enough to avoid elimination.
The first leg, held at the Municipal Stadium in Safi, ended in a 1-1 draw, giving Safi the advantage over the two matches.
Olympique Safi will face Algerian side CR Belouizdad in the semifinals, who also advanced at the expense of Congolese side Maniema.
