AS FAR Rabat Secures Critical Advantage in CAF Champions League Semifinal
In a thrilling encounter that marked the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinals, AS FAR Rabat emerged victorious with a 2-0 win against Renaissance Berkane at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Saturday evening. This highly anticipated match, characterized by intense rivalry between these two Moroccan teams, initially struggled to find rhythm, particularly in the first half, which was largely uneventful in terms of goal-scoring opportunities. However, the match turned in favor of the Military Club thanks to goals from Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Ait Ouarkhane, positioning AS FAR with a significant advantage as they aim for a place in the final.
AS FAR Rabat, a club with a storied history, having won this tournament in 1985, showcased their dominance throughout the match. Despite their status as favorites and an unbeaten streak in the Moroccan league that extends over thirteen matches, they found it challenging to break down Berkane’s defenses in the first half. The home crowd, known for their passionate support, witnessed a tightly contested game where opportunities were scarce. The first notable chance came from Abdelfettah Hadraf, whose counter-attack was thwarted by a crucial tackle from Berkane’s Et-Tayeb Boukhriss. A potential penalty was also denied when Hammoudan fell in the box, deemed a simulation by the referee, adding to the frustrations of the AS FAR players.
Second Half Surge Leads to Dominant Win
As the second half commenced, AS FAR Rabat increased their intensity, capitalizing on a mistake from Berkane’s Yassine Labhiri. This pivotal moment allowed Hammoudan to score the opening goal in the 57th minute after pouncing on a loose ball following a failed clearance by the goalkeeper Anas Zniti. The second half witnessed a more aggressive approach from both sides, but it was AS FAR who maintained control. Despite a brief resurgence from Berkane, including a shot from captain Ayoub Khairi, they struggled to mount a serious threat. The final nail in the coffin came when Khalid Ait Ouarkhane scored with a powerful left-footed shot in the 80th minute, solidifying AS FAR’s lead and putting them in a commanding position as they head into the second leg.
This convincing victory puts AS FAR Rabat one step closer to the final, while Renaissance Berkane will need to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in the return match if they hope to turn the tide and keep their championship dreams alive.
As reported by rfi.fr.
