The Red Castle will be without several first team players and AshesGyamera has gone down to check out the details of their absence
Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco arrived in Ghana very late on Friday ahead of the Caf Champions League second round first leg clash with Ghana champions Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
However, the two-time African champions touched down without ten key players who could’ve added a bite to their squad and probably help them to pick a favourable scoreline in Ghana.
As a result, AshesGyamera.com’s editor-in-chief, Evans Gyamera-Antwi, has delved deep to ascertain why these players will miss the game and if they stand a chance to play part in the return fixture holding in Rabat next week?
TAHA MOURID
Wydad’s young goalkeeper Taha Mourid did not travel with the team to Accra due to an injury relay.
The 18-year-old underwent a surgery weeks ago after going through a long period of pain in his right hand and will be missed. It highly unlikely for him to recover on time for the return fixture next week.
SOUFIANE KARKACH
Wydad Athletic Club young midfielder Soufiane Karkach did not also make the list to Accra due to an injury to his right foot.
The youngster, who joined WAC from RS Berkane in 2019, will be hugely missed for his hard work and determination. He is one of the players with a lot of energy and technical eyes. He is highly composed and rarely gives faulty passes in games.
REDA JAADI
WAC will also miss the services of top player Reda Jaadi after an incredible start to the new season. Jaadi was injured during Morocco’s 2-1 win over Sierra Leone in a friendly game recently.
He came on as a second half substitute and was taken off after some minutes.
According to reports in Morocco, Jaadi will be out for at least eight weeks and this rule him out of both games.
SALAHEDDINE BENYACHOU
WAC will miss the services of youngster Salaheddine Benyachou after he underwent a surgery last week.
The 21-year-old, who joined WAC from Olympique Club de Safi in a deal worth around US$350,000, went under the knife last two weeks following an appendix operation.
He is expected to sit out of action for at least three weeks before he can completely be healed. Benyachou scored nine goals in the Morocco Botola Pro League last season after 29 games and he became the youngest player to score four goals or more in first half of a league game in Morocco.
WALID EL KARTI
The 27-year-old surprisingly left the Moroccan giants last week to sign for Egyptian side Pyramids FC in a deal worth around $1.6 million.
Karti, who is now ranked among the top five highest paid players plying their trade in Africa, helped Wydad Athletic Club to win four Moroccan Batola League titles, one Caf Champions League trophy and a Caf Super Cup after his eight-year stay with the Red Castle.
He was also part of the Morocco national team that won the 2018 and 2020 African Nations Championships (CHAN) titles.
AMINE ABOULFATH
The 23-year-old’s absence due to a foot injury will be hugely felt by Wydad Athletic Club.
It is one of the main reasons why Hearts of Oak can start dreaming of a win at the Accra Sports Stadium. As a centre-back, Aboulfath has consistently provided solidity at the back for WAC even since he was allowed me make his bow. He was adjudged the club’s Best Player of the month of March.
Guy Carel Mbenza Mbenza
The Congolese striker joined Wydad Athletic Club on loan from Belgian giants Royal Antwerp with an option to make it permanent and he has been an instant hit.
The 21-year-old has carved a niche for himself in Morocco as he consistently torment defenders and score goals with ease. Unfortunately, he arrived in Morocco very late and the club could not register him for the Caf Champions League. However, should WAC progress to the group stage, he will have the opportunity to be registered and then showcase his talent.
Last season, Mbenza netted seven goals and provided two assists after 15 league games for Swiss side FC Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy while on loan.
Also, WAC will be without their head coach Walid Regragu and two assistant coaches have been hot with COVID-19.
The trio didn’t travel to Ghana as they are to undergo a mandatory quarantine. It is likely that they may not even play a role in the reverse fixture next week.