Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu suffered defeat in their Caf Champions League group stage opener with a 1-0 loss against Raja Casablanca in Morocco on Saturday evening.

Ushutu made three alterations from the side which was narrowly defeated by Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup last weekend with new signing Abbubaker Mobara handed a debut while Thabo Qalinge and Thembela Sikhakhane were recalled to the starting eleven.

From the onset the hosts looked to use their physicality with aerial balls forward and into the box and the tactic almost paid off as Marouane Hadhoudi got on the end of ball into the box but his header came crashing off the post in the 14th minute.

AmaZulu though began dealing with the threat and were managing to nullify the Moroccan side until the closing minutes of the first half where AmaZulu keeper Veli Mothwa was forced into action to deny Kadima Zrida, who was clear on goal in a one-on-one.

McCarthy’s men then had a chance of their own just before the break as Makhehlene Makhaula’s cracking strike in the box rattled the upright.

Ushutu took confidence from their finish to the first stanza and looked to grab the lead at the start of the second, but wasteful finishing was proving their downfall.

The home side, however, eventually managed to break the dead lock as Moutouali exchanged passes with Zakaria El Wardi before sneaking his shot through the legs of Mothwa to hand his side the lead.

The South African side pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but the home team was able to hold on and walk away with the three points in the group stage opener.