16/9/2024
Reigning Ghana Premier League champions, FC Samartex 1996 were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Raja Club Athletic widely known as Raja Casablanca in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round.
The Ghanaian champions hosted the Moroccan side on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Accra Sports Stadium.
Despite Samartex taking the lead before recess, the Ghanaian side failed to hold onto their lead.
Mohamed Azrida headed home a corner kick in the 20th minute to first put Raja Casablanca in the lead.
Hitherto, Samartex goalkeeper Kofi Baah made a vital save in the early minutes of the game to deny Raja’s Adam Ennaffati’s attempt from the edge of the area.
However, the Ghanaian side doggedly responded to level the scoreline in the 37th minute when Francis Gyetuah acrobatically fired the ball into the net, beating the visitors’ shot stopper.
Samartex subsequently took the lead when Ephson easily drove home a rebound from a shot parried away by Raja’s goalkeeper Anas Zniti before halftime.
With a determined composure, Raja Casablanca returned into the second half to level the score at 2-2 when Mohamed Boulacsout tapped in a well-executed team play before the stoppage time.
The deadlock fixture will see FC Samartex and Raja head into the second leg at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Morocco with everything to play for.
With Samartex’s unbeaten record in the tourney on the line, they are determined to play their hearts out to advance further in the competition.
By: Maxwell Woyram Tsigbe