With Wydad Casablanca and RS Berkane winning the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup, respectively, the Moroccan Botola Pro has a compelling argument for being the strongest league in Africa.
After overcoming Algerian league leaders CR Belouizdad and Angolan champions Petro de Luanda in the knockout stages, Wydad were rightfully crowned champions of Africa in their home stadium after beating Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0.
Preventing Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly from winning three consecutive CAF Champions League titles is a superb achievement from Walid Regragui’s side.
Despite this continental triumph being arguably the most wanted trophy in Africa, Wydad’s trophy hunt continues domestically.
Currently leading the Botola Pro and fierce rivals Raja Casablanca by four points with six games remaining, Wydad are attempting to become back-to-back Moroccan champions.
This is a feat that has not been accomplished for nearly 20 years, further proof of the strength of the league.
However, to bring any form of domestic success, Wydad must deal with Raja in their matchups in the league and cup quarter-finals.
In this tactical analysis in the form of a team scout report, we will discuss Walid Regragui’s tactics that have earned Wydad Casablanca the title of Africa’s best.
In possession
Over the last 10 years in the game, there has been an increase in the correlation between successful teams and high ball possession.
However, in this season’s competitions, we’ve seen Roma win the UEFA Conference League final with 35% possession, and Wydad Casablanca win the CAF Champions League final with 38% possession.
Additionally, Real Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, and RS Berkane won their continental finals with less than 50% possession.
There is a trend in Wydad’s possession statistics this season, showing that they allow stronger opposition to have more ball possession.
In their eleven Champions League group stage and knockout fixtures this season, Wydad had more possession than their opponents in just three games.
Although in the Botola Pro, Wydad rank 3rd for average possession, and their impressive PPDA of 15.22 shows their ball retention capability.
In possession, Regragui’s team usually play more directly, attempting 50.35 long passes per game with an accuracy of 56.5%, the third most long passes in the Botola this season.
Goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti usually kicks long from goal kicks.
The target for direct build-up is striker Guy Mbenza (184cm/6’0”), with support from the central midfield trio and the two wingers.
The central midfielders provide deeper support with the potential for controlling second balls, meanwhile, the winger’s movement tends to go beyond Mbenza for flick-ons.
Tagnaouti’s overall passing accuracy of 86.33% displays a relatively reliable goalkeeper when in possession, comfortable playing short but able to launch longer passes.
The issue that arises is Mbenza’s ability in the air, despite being a physical presence.
Mbenza’s aerial duel success rate of 28% ranks him 244th out of 287 outfield players to have played 500 minutes in the Botola.
Wydad have more squad members with a worse percentage, including direct build-up support players like Reda Jaadi and wingers Zouhair El Moutaraji and Salaheddine Benyachou.
This figure shows an example of Tagnaoutis direct build-up towards Mbenza.
As Mbenza jumps for the aerial duel, El Moutaraji makes a movement behind for the potential flick-on.
Jaadi coming off the right wing provides an unsuitable lateral option, but the midfield trio of Aymane El Hassouni, Jalal Daoudi and Yahya Jabrane are well-positioned for second balls.
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