Report: Raja Casablanca 0-1 Zamalek
Date: 18 October 2020
Venue: Stade Mohamed V
Zamalek increased their chances of reaching the CAF Champions League final with a narrow 1-0 win away to Raja Casablanca in the first leg of their semi-final on Sunday evening.
Raja were without the likes of Abderrahim Achchakir, Sanad Al-Warfali, and Abdeljalil Jbira all through while Mohamed Zrida and Ayoub Nanah tested positive for Covid-19.
The match was fiercely contested in the early stages and Zamalek drew first blood in the 18th minute after Morocco international Achraf Bencharki powered home a close-range header at the back post from Zizo's cross.
Raja were building up momentum after that but they almost conceded the second goal ten minutes before the break although Mostafa Mohamed, who saw his header saved by goalkeeper Anas Zniti, before Soufiane Rahimi went wide with a a header before the interval.
Raja took the game to Zamalek after from the break and they came close to levelling matters in the 67th minute after Mohamed Al Makahasi unleashed a strike from outside the box that forced Mohamed Abougabal into a good save
Jamal Sellami's charges had a penalty appeal moments later after a handball inside the box but the referee did not refer the incident to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
In the end, the visitors were able to see out the remaining stage to claim a narrow win that gives them a slight advantage ahead of the second leg next Saturday in Cairo.
