BOTOLA PRO
Raja Casablanca vs Wydad Casablanca: as it happened
A late headed equaliser from Badr Benoun was enough to secure a point for 10 man Raja Casablanca as they faced Wydad in the 142nd Casablanca derby.
Just when it appeared that the three points and city bragging rights were headed Wydad's way, up popped Moroccan international Badr Benoun to out-jump the WAC keeper and head into an open net to give Raja a deserved draw based on their second half endeavour.
The 124th Casablanca derby ended up with honours even as ten-man Raja who were outplayed and outclassed in a first half that would have disappointed Spanish boss Garrido fought back to secure a point that in truth does little for either side as they try to make up ground on table topping Tangier (IRT).
The scoring was opened in the 38th minute by Wydad's Atouchi who reacted first to a deflected free kick as the bar rebounded off the bar for a goal that warranted the effort and drive displayed by current league champions.
Raja emerged in the second half as a new side and dominated their city rivals despite losing Hadraf to a second yellow card. Just when it seemed that their efforts would come to nothing the 24-year-old Benoun rose majestically to tie the game. A result that will have been well received in Tangier and Agadir.
Raja Casablanca 1-1 Wydad Casablanca: as it happened
Raja Casablanca v Wydad Casablanca: preview
Despite neither of the big Casablanca sides being a direct title challenger this season with the season coming to a close despite games in hand, one cannot get away from the fact the Casablanca derby is one of the biggest game in African football and a game that has been cited by many as one of the best derbies in global football.
Both sides are tied on 36 points in the Botola Pro with Wydad (WAC) having played a game more than their city rivals.
The last derby went the way of the men in green with Garrido's side running out 1-2 winners on the day. However Tunisian WAC boss Faouzi Benzarti speaking ahead of the clash was claimed he and his team were confident of victory ahead of the showdown with Raja at Stade Mohamed V today.
"We lost the first derby, a match we do not deserve to lose. Today we have a strong team and we will play this game for the win,” Benzarti asserted.