Wadi Degla, Sporting win opening matches at UNAF CAF Women's Champs Lge qualifier

Moroccan club Sporting Casablanca began their UNAF Women's Champions League qualifying campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Algerian side Afak Relizane on Thursday.

After Relizane took an early lead through a penalty, Sporting hit back with goals from Salma Miftakh and Chaimae Mertaji to lead 2-1. Relizane equalised and went ahead through two more spot-kicks from Ikram Baheri.

But Sporting showed resilience to fight back in the second half, with Mertaji grabbing her second and Waghista Diarra netting a stoppage-time winner.

In Thursday's other match, Egyptian club Wadi Degla claimed an impressive 5-3 win against Tunisian side Susa.

Wadi stormed into a 5-0 first half lead thanks to a hat-trick from Cameroonian striker Moussa Zouzoua and brace from Gehad Elsalh.

Although Susa pulled three goals back after the break through Aya Ben Khalifa, Aya Jday and Charar Ben Ali, Wadi held on.

The results leave Wadi top on goal difference ahead of Sporting after the opening round of matches.

The qualifier's second matchday takes place on Sunday, with Wadi facing Relizane while Susa take on Sporting.

The tournament's winner will qualify for November's CAF Women's Champions League finals in Cote d'Ivoire.