El Jadida retain GNF1 lead, hat trick sinks HUSA

2009-11-02

Jeunesse Massira's Amine Trafah stunned the crowd with a hat trick, as Difaa El Jadida snatched a victory from Wydad Fes to maintain its hold on the Moroccan Premier League's top spot.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 02/11/09

[File] Difaa El Jadida, hot off a winning streak, strike a pose for Day 7 of GNF1 play.

Difaa El Jadida took the match against Wydad Fes 4-2 on the latter's home turf to extend their winning streak, marking the team's fifth victory of the season on Day 7 of Moroccan Premier League play.

Players from both sides were in good form on Friday (October 30th). El Jadida forward Pape Latyr scored the first goal with a forceful kick in the 30th minute. Wydad retaliated with the tying goal in the 59th minute following penalty kick by midfielder Omar Hassi in the 59th minute.

El Jadida regained the lead with an unexpected boost from Wydad defender Oumar Diakite, who scored an own goal in the 62nd minute. Latyr added to his goal total and extended DHJ's lead when he scored in the 74th. Eager to push back, Wydad midfielder Youssef Changuiti stuck one in the corner to bring the score to 3-2, DHJ. But El Jadida never relinquished its lead and moved ahead with a fourth and final goal after defender Adil Karouchi netted a penalty kick.

Besting Wydad means Difaa El Jadida retain their position on the top of the GNF1 table with 17 points.

FAR Rabat fans, however, have little to cheer about following another disappointing outing, drawing nil-nil against hosts Moghreb Fes in a packed-stadium game. Neither team threatened any goals during the first half. Play picked up in the second half, but both teams lacked concentration and failed to net a ball.

In another match, AS Salé drew against visiting team Moghreb Tetouan on Saturday. Tetouan had the upper hand following kick-off, launching a few attacks against the AS Salé goal, with new forward Elamin Erbate scoring in the 11th minute. AS Salé didn't take long to respond, with forward Houssine Saidi equalising in the 30th. Tetouan challenged the goal, claiming Salé hindered their goalkeeper, but the goal stood. Play remained slow throughout the second half, though Erbate nearly scored for a second time in the 66th minute.

Elsewhere in the league, Raja Casablanca overpowered Kawkab Marrakech on Sunday with a 2-1 victory marked by controversy. Striker Omar Najdi gave Raja a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 32nd minute, until Kawkab midfielder Lansien Kone equalised the game in the 59th. But Raja would take the victory in the 76th minute, when striker Yassine Salhi put the team in the lead for the rest of the match. Two Raja players, midfielder Said Fettah and defender Zakaria Zerouali, were red-carded in the course of the match, while three others were warned by referees.

In Laayoune, hosts Jeunesse Massira conjured up a victory over Hassania Agadir on Sunday with a 3-1 stunner. Agadir captain Mohamed Lhsaini was transported to hospital after knocking heads with Abderrazak Saqim in the 30th minute. The second half brought a flurry of goals, with HUSA attacker Gerard Bi Goua Gohou netting a ball. This goal was overshadowed by a hat trick by Massira striker Amine Trafah, as he delivered goal after goal in the 56th, 79th and 90th minutes, to the delight of spectators.

In another match, FUS Rabat defeated KAC Kenitra 2-1. After a few probes from both ends, FUS midfielder Driss Souiyat stuck one in the corner in the 30th minute. Kenitra midfielder Aberrahim Aberbache delivered a classic counter-blow in the 61st to equalise the game, but FUS pulled ahead with a last minute goal by attacker Alhassane Issoufou in the 90th.

Olympique Khouribga met Ittihad Khemisset to round out Day 7 play with a nil-nil draw on Sunday. Khouribga threatened several times but never managed a goal. IZK returned the threats, but also failed to convert opportunities into goals.