African club giants Wydad Casablanca of Morocco are facing potential elimination from the CAF Champions League after a 2-0 loss to Simba of Tanzania. The defeat marks their third loss in four Group B matches, leaving them in last place with only three points. ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast (10 points), Simba (5 points), and Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana (4 points) are currently ahead of Wydad. ASEC has already qualified for the quarter-finals by defeating Jwaneng 3-0. Simba could join them if they can secure four more points.

Wydad’s only chance of reaching the last eight is to win their remaining two matches and hope for Simba to lose one. In February, Simba will face ASEC, and in March, they will host Jwaneng. Meanwhile, Wydad will play against Jwaneng on the road and face ASEC at home. Wydad has been one of the most successful clubs in the Champions League, reaching four finals and winning two titles since 2016. They have consistently made it to the knockout stage.

Coach Faouzi Benzarti, the second most successful African coach in CAF club competitions with five titles, leads Wydad. ASEC, whose lone Champions League title came 25 years ago, has produced many players who achieved fame in Europe, such as Yaya and Kolo Toure. Sankara Karamoko is among the stars of the team, scoring his fourth goal of the campaign in the victory over Jwaneng.

In Group A, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa both secured victories, moving them three points ahead of Nouadhibou of Mauritania and Pyramids of Egypt. Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Pyramids 1-0, while Mazembe defeated Nouadhibou 2-0, with goals from Cheick Fofana.

In Group C, Petro Luanda missed an opportunity to qualify after a goalless draw against Esperance of Tunisia. However, they remain at the top of the group and are likely to reach the quarter-finals.