CASABLANCA, Morocco: Ismaili of Egypt upset Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 1-0 at the weekend in a clash of African football heavyweights.
Omar Gamal scored after 13 minutes in the Moroccan commercial capital to settle the top billing of a seven-match African Confederation Cup fourth round, first leg program. Wydad and Ismaili are former African champions and whoever emerges victorious after the mid-May return match in Egypt will be installed as favorites to win the second-tier continental competition.
Hakim Ajraoui wasted a chance to put 1992 African Champions Cup winners Wydad ahead at the 80,000-seat Mohamed V Stadium before Gamal delivered the decisive blow. Abandoning their trademark short, sharp passing, Ismaili thumped the ball and Gamal snatched his fourth goal in five matches with a shot that was deflected past the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Although weakened by the absence of first-choice players Mohamed Abdulwahed and Amr Samir, Ismaili were the more creative team and squandered several chances to increase their lead.
