Toshack does Wales proud in Africa

While Wales have made waves at Euro 2016 by reaching the quarter-finals, a former star and manager John Toshack is making his presence felt in Africa.

A Toshack-coached Wydad Casablanca of Morocco beat Zesco United of Zambia 2-0 in Rabat Thursday to take a three-point lead in Group A of the CAF Champions League.

Wydad have six points after matchday 2, ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast and Zesco three each and record eight-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt are pointless.

Group winners and runners-up advance to the semi-finals of a competition offering a $1.5 million (1.35 million euros) first prize and a place in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.

A feared Liverpool striker in the 1970s, Toshack played for and managed Wales and has twice been in charge of Real Madrid.

The 67-year-old joined Wydad, a traditional Moroccan football giant, in 2014 and has delivered two top-two finishes, ensuring a Champions League presence next year too.

Tanned Toshack cut a relaxed figure as his team dominated from start to finish against opponents who had won six of seven previous matches this year in the premier African club competition.

Zesco were always uncomfortable when dealing with crosses and from one, Walid El Karty nodded Wydad into a 12th-minute lead.

In control without ever moving into overdrive, the Moroccans sealed success six minutes after half-time from an unlikely source.

Instead of clearing a low cross, Kenyan David Owino pushed the ball past Zesco goalkeeper Lameck Nyangu into the net.

ASEC won 2-1 at Ahly Wednesday, leaving the title favourites in danger of elimination ahead of home and away matches against Wydad during July.

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa lead Zamalek of Egypt on goals scored in Group B after edging Enyimba of Nigeria 2-1 in a lively Pretoria match Wednesday.

Twice champions Enyimba are in a similar situation to Ahly -- pointless after two matches -- in a mini-league cut to three clubs by the disqualification of Entente Setif of Algeria.