Wydad Casablanca overpower Atletico Luanda to bag crucial away semifinal victory

Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca have taken the initiative against Atletico Petro de Luanda in the semi-final match-up for the CAF Champions League with a 3-1 first-leg victory.

The North-African side found the back of the net through Tiago Azulao (OG, 16'), Yahya Jabrane (45'), and Guy Mbenza (68') to go three goals up at the Estadio 11 de Novembro before substitute Job grabbed a goal for the hosts in 81st minute. 

Wydad Casablanca only need to avoid losing by more than one goal in the return leg to proceed to the CAF Champions League final to be held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.

Wydad Casablanca played perfect counter-attacking football on the night, scoring three (3) goals from just two (2) shots on target thanks to Tiago Azulao's 16th-minute own goal.

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Azulao, the leading goalscorer in the competition, found himself scoring at the wrong end of the pitch despite Atletico Luanda's early pressure. 

It got worse for the hosts in the 45th minute as Jabrane got on the end of Aymane El- Hassouni's pass to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Mbenza wrapped up the scoring for Wydad Casablanca in the 68th minute before Job grabbed a lifeline for Atletico Luanda with an 81st-minute goal.

Overall, Atletico Luanda had 67% possession, 15 shots to Casablanca's five (5), six (6) corner kicks to Casablanca's two (2), and 535 passes to Casablanca's 275.

With the away goals rule still in effect in the CAF Champions League, Atletico Luanda need to score at least three goals in the return leg to stand a chance of making it to the final.

The return leg is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 13 at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca by 8pm Nigerian time.