Wydad Athletic Club enjoyed a morale-boosting victory in the Moroccan league under new coach Mohamed Benchrifa, but celebrations were quickly overshadowed by a serious injury to Brazilian defender Ferreira ahead of the highly anticipated derby against Raja Casablanca.
Wydad defeated Meknes Club 2-0 in the 19th round of the Moroccan League, producing what was described as a disciplined and tactically organised display that restored confidence among supporters after a difficult run of results.
The performance was seen as a significant step forward for Benchrifa, whose influence was visible in the team’s movement, structure and organisation across the pitch. The victory lifted Wydad to fourth place in the standings with 34 points, strengthening the club’s hopes of securing qualification for African competitions next season.
However, the positive atmosphere inside the club was short-lived after Ferreira suffered a serious injury during the match. The Brazilian was forced off the pitch after sustaining what initially appeared to be a heavy sprain, causing immediate concern among the coaching staff and players on the bench.
Subsequent medical examinations confirmed the injury was far more severe.
Cruciate ligament injury confirmed
Wydad later released an official statement confirming that Ferreira had suffered a tear in the medial cruciate ligament, an injury widely regarded as one of the most difficult setbacks for professional footballers due to the lengthy rehabilitation process involved.
The club stated that its medical department is continuing further examinations before determining the timing of surgery.
Wydad also stressed that the player would receive full support throughout his recovery process, while acknowledging that his absence would leave a significant gap in the team during a critical stage of the season.
Ferreira’s injury represents a major challenge for Benchrifa, who had been attempting to rebuild the side’s competitive identity after inconsistent performances earlier in the campaign. The Brazilian defender had become an important part of the coach’s developing system, and his loss now forces the technical staff to search for alternatives in a short period of time.
Derby challenge awaits
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse for Wydad, with the club preparing to face long-time rivals Raja in the Casablanca derby during the 20th round of the league season.
The derby is expected to play a significant role in shaping the race for continental qualification places, adding further pressure on Benchrifa and his squad.
Wydad now face a double challenge: maintaining the momentum created by their recent victory while also reorganising their defensive structure without one of their key players.
Despite Meknes attempting to fight their way back into the contest during the match, Wydad’s discipline and determination ultimately secured all three points. The result left Meknes on 27 points and saw them fall to seventh position in the standings.
For Wydad supporters, the victory over Meknes offered hope that the club may finally be moving in the right direction under new leadership. Yet Ferreira’s injury has quickly become the dominant concern as attention shifts towards one of the biggest fixtures in Moroccan football.
The coming days are expected to be decisive in determining whether Wydad can continue their recovery while coping with the growing injury problems affecting key members of the squad.
