Ziyech Debuts as Wydad Edge Stubborn Maniema Union
Hakim Ziyech finally made his highly anticipated bow for Wydad Casablanca on Sunday, providing the spark in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AS Maniema Union. While the former Morocco international’s debut took center stage at the Stade Mohamed V, it took a late breakthrough to overcome a heroic performance from the visitors’ goalkeeper in this CAF Confederation Cup clash.
Despite a Man of the Match performance from Nigerian goalkeeper Detan Ogundare, the visitors could not survive an onslaught of attacks from the hosts and Group B leaders.
Former Nasarawa United and Rangers International keeper Ogundare continued to show why he was an excellent signing ahead of the 2025-26 season. But it would not be a third consecutive clean sheet in the Group B clash after Mohamed Moufid’s late winner.
At the beginning of the match, all attention was on Ziyech, who played his first competitive match for WAC since signing as a free agent three months ago. The former Chelsea player showed plenty of moments of quality before being substituted in the 65th minute.
The hosts proceeded to dominate throughout the ninety minutes but came up against firm resistance from the Maniema Union defense. Ogundare’s incredible form highlighted the scoreless first half when his amazing 38th-minute save kept Walid Nassi from opening the scoring with a bouncing header.
The pressure on the visitors continued to rise after halftime and Ogundare made several more impressive saves. But there was little the Nigerian could do when the hosts finally made their breakthrough in the 81st minute. After saving from a shot inside the penalty area, WAC right-back Mohamed Moufid poked a low shot from the rebound that went beyond the reach of the scrambling goalkeeper.
Maniema Union posed little threat and were too exhausted from defending to make a convincing effort to equalize. They do remain in second place on six points from three matches, while WAC continue to lead the group with a perfect record of three victories.
The teams will meet again next Sunday in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.
