Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic scores the winning goal against Wydad Casablanca (Photo: Kaizer Chiefs twitter account)
A first-half goal from Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic secured a vital 1-0 win for South African giants Kaizer Chiefs against Morocco's Wydad in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semis on Saturday.
The hosts dominated the game in terms of possession but Nurkovic’s strike was the only ball that mattered.
Njabulo Blom was fed into space on a quick counter to send a low cross to the unmarked Nurkovic, who fired into the back of the net.
The 29-year-old striker grabbed his second goal of the 2021 campaign, and it might prove decisive as they aim to reach their first ever Champions League final and their first continental final since their Cup winners Cup triumph in 2001.
Keeper Bruce Bvuma also took centre stage, pulling off some fine saves against a dominant Wydad side that fired 26 shots, including eight on target.
Ayoub El Kaabi, Walid El Karti and Mohammed Ounajem were guilty of squandering scoring chances.
The Moroccan giants will now have to make amends in Cape Town next Saturday if they want to avoid last year’s scenario when they were eliminated from the semi-finals against eventual champions Ahly.
Earlier in the day, defending champions Ahly beat Tunisian side Esperance 1-0 in Tunis to continue their bid towards a record-extending 10th title.
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