Zanaco’s 2017 CAF Champions League quarterfinal dreams went up in smoke in Casablanca on Saturday after Wydad Casablanca beat them 1-0.

The Zambian champions loss in Morocco also halted their unbeaten run in the competition that saw them finish 3rd in Group D with 11 points on goal difference behind Al Ahly of Egypt who overtook them to collect 2nd place.

Striker Achraf Bencharki’s 68th minute goal downed 10-man Zanaco who had defender Taonga Bwembya sent off in the 58th minute.

Al Ahly were 3-1 winners at home on Saturday over winless and bottom placed Cotonsport of Cameroon.

Zanaco were unbeaten in this year competition since entering in the first round in February before Wydad ended that run and interest in the race with Saturdays home win.

Mumamba Numba’s side drew three and won one match in the preliminary knockout round before collecting three wins and two draws in Group D before the 1992 champions from Morocco ended that impressive run.