Wydad Casablanca of Morocco clawed back into contention for a CAF Champions League last-eight place after snatching an added-time 1-0 victory over Simba of Tanzania on Saturday.
Algerian Zakaria Draoui, a recent signing, scored his first goal in Africa for his new club after 95 minutes in Marrakesh to give the three-time champions a massive boost.
Wydad reached four Champions League finals from 2017, winning two, and have been a dominant force in the elite African competition along with Al Ahly of Egypt.
GET INNN! ✅#DimaWydad pic.twitter.com/aaklGybmV1
— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) December 9, 2023
But a stunning home defeat against minnows Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana and an away loss to ASEC Mimosas in the Ivory Coast left them bottom of Group B before tackling Simba.
Yahya Jabrane, part of the Morocco squad that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar and often the inspiration behind Wydad triumphs, missed a first-half penalty.
But that wasted chance was forgotten when Draoui slammed a low shot between the legs of goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred after a free-kick.
ASEC, whose only Champions League title came 25 years ago, are the surprise pacesetters thanks to a 2-0 win over Jwaneng in Francistown, where Sankara Karamoko scored twice.
Essis Aka missed a first-half penalty for the visitors before Karamoko netted twice after half-time to take his Champions League campaign goal tally to three.
ASEC have seven points, Jwaneng four, Wydad three and Simba two halfway through the six-round group stage. The clubs finishing first and second qualify for the quarter-finals.
Four-time title-holders Esperance of Tunisia wasted a chance to replace Petro Luanda of Angola as Group C leaders when the sides drew 0-0 in Rades.
TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have won the Champions League five times, top Group A after drawing 0-0 against Nouadhibou of Mauritania in Nouakchott.