Samartex, Raja Casablanca set for decisive showdown in second leg

The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie between FC Samartex and Raja Casablanca, as the two teams prepare to face off in a decisive second leg in Casablanca next week.

Following a pulsating draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, the momentum is evenly poised, and both teams will be eager to seize the initiative in the return encounter.

Raja Casablanca of Morocco held Ghana champions FC Samartex 1996 to a 2-2 stalemate in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors made their presence known early on, with Samartex goalkeeper Kofi Baah making a vital save in the third minute to block Adam Ennaffati’s shot from the edge of the box.

This early warning sign hinted at the formidable threat posed by the three-time CAF Champions League winners, who could be lethal on any pitch they played on.

The visitors finally found the breakthrough in the 20th minute through Mohamed Azrida’s clinical header from a corner kick, which left the Samartex defense scrambling.

The Timber Giants found their footing in the 37th minute when Francis Gyetuah scored an unforgettable acrobatic goal to get his first-ever CAF Champions League goal, knotting the score and shifting the momentum.

Samartex’s dominance was rewarded on the stroke of halftime as Michael Ephson capitalised on a rebound, scoring to make it 2-1 and give his team a crucial lead.

The Moroccan visitors regained their composure early in the second half, with Mohamed Boulacsout’s clinical finish capping off a well-executed team maneuver.

Samartex are Ghana Premier League team to face Raja Casablanca in a CAF competition, following in the footsteps of Berekum Chelsea, who faced the Moroccan giants in the 2011/12 CAF Champions League.

With a 2-2 stalemate, the stage is set for a captivating second leg in Casablanca, where the tie will be decided in a week.

Story by Rabbi Adu Agyei

The post Samartex, Raja Casablanca set for decisive showdown in second leg first appeared on 3News.

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