CAF Champions League Match Report: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Raja Casablanca 14 March 2015
CAF Champions League Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Raja Casablanca Date: 14 March 2015 Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 to Raja Casablanca in their CAF Champions League first round, first leg tie at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The visitors stunned the crowd at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the fifth minute, as un-marked Osaguona Christian Ighodaro headed past a helpless Brilliant Khuzwayo. It took a while for Chiefs to get going and they produced their first effort on target in the 24th minute, as Siphiwe Tshabalala forced Askary into a fine low save from distance. The visitors took control after the half an hour mark and almost doubled their lead in the 35th minute but Khuzwayo came rushing off his line to deny Ighodaro from close range. Stuart Baxter's side struggled to get the ball off their Moroccan counterparts and when they did get possession, the final ball was not good enough. José Romão's side certainly ended the first 45 minutes as the stronger of the two and were full value for their 1-0 lead at the break. Ighodaro nearly got his and Raja's second shortly after the halftime break, as his initial effort was saved by Khuzwayo before he lashed the rebound into the side-netting. Katlego Mphela was presented with an opportunity to level matters in the 52nd minute but the forward blasted over from 12-yards out. Chiefs came close to getting an equaliser in the 66th minute, as Bernard Parker delightfully picked out Mphela, who headed just wide of the upright. Stuart Baxter brought on Hendrick Ekstein and George Lebese in the final 20 minutes with the hope of grabbing an equaliser. However, Siphelele Mthembu should have leveled matters in the 87th minute, the striker got on the end of Tefu Mashamaite's flick-on but failed to hit the target with only Askary to beat. Here's how they lined up: Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo, Gaxa, Mashamaite, Mathoho, Masilela, Katsande, Letsholonyane, Masango, Tshabalala, Mphela, Parker Raja Casablanca: Askary, Karouchy, Belmqadem, Oulhaj, Jbira, Koukou, Bamaamer, Mabide, Issine, Salhi, Ousagouna
