Durban – Christian Osaguona scored the only goal as Kaizer Chiefs were stunned 1-0 in the first leg of their Caf Champions League encounter against Raja Casablanca at Moses Mabhida Stadium here on Saturday night.
The Nigeria forward headed in from a perfectly weighted freekick from Yassine Salhi after just six minutes.
The result was a huge blow to Amakhosi’s chances of reaching the main draw and they must now go to Morocco in three weeks’ time and hope for an upset against the three-time African champions.
The Soweto giants were on the back foot from the outset as Salhi’s free-kick caught out both captain Tefu Mashamaite and right-back Siboniso Gaxa, allowing Osaguona to sneak in behind and head beyond the helpless Brilliant Khuzwayo.
Coach Stuart Baxter’s men tried to conjure up a response but found it difficult to get through the well-organised back four of the visitors.
In the end they were limited to shooting from range as Siphiwe Tshabalala forced Khalid Askri to throw himself to his left and turn away a 30m strike midway through the half.
A Tshabalala corner then curled onto the crossbar as Chiefs battled to find any clear-cut openings.
Tsepo Masilela also wildly hooked wide as the first half ended 1-0.
After the break, Chiefs did improve but again they seemed to be lacking that killer instinct in the final third of the field.
Before that, though, they were nearly punished on the break when Osaguona was put through one-on-one and ended up shooting straight at Khuzwayo.
Bernard Parker, Katlego Mphela, Tshabalala, Mphela and Siphelele Mthembu all wasted more than just half-chances as the half wore on.
But their failure to score meant Chiefs had to settle for a 1-0 deficit and with plenty of work to do ahead of their rematch on April 4. – Sapa