AS FAR Rabat: A Look at Their Rich History and Current Form
As the anticipation builds for the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns, it is essential to delve into the fascinating background of AS FAR Rabat. This illustrious Moroccan football club boasts an impressive record, having secured the Botola Pro title 13 times, with their latest triumph occurring in the 2022/23 season. This victory marked a significant achievement, as it was their first league title since 2008, coinciding with the appointment of former Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, who previously finished in second place before taking the reins at Amakhosi.
AS FAR Rabat's participation in the CAF Champions League has seen its share of highs and lows. The club clinched their only Champions League title back in 1985 but faced a challenging decade, with a notable absence from the tournament between 2014 and 2024, where they were eliminated in the second round. This history adds depth to their current campaign, highlighting their determination to reclaim their status among Africa's elite clubs.
Current Squad and Tactical Approach
In terms of squad value, AS FAR Rabat is currently estimated at €149 million (approximately R267 million) according to data from Transfermarkt. In contrast, their opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns, boast a squad value that is nearly double that of AS FAR, illustrating the competitive nature of this matchup. The Moroccan side's most valuable players include defensive midfielders Anas Bach and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, both valued at €1.5 million (around R29 million). This contrasts sharply with Sundowns' highest-valued player, Iqraam Rayners, whose market value stands at €3 million (approximately R58 million).
Following their league victory under coach Fernando Da Cruz, AS FAR made a swift managerial change, appointing Nabi, who later transitioned to Kaizer Chiefs after just one season. His successor, Polish coach Czeslaw Michniewicz, had a brief stint that lasted only three months, leading to the hiring of veteran coach Hubert Velud, whose tenure was also cut short. Eventually, Alexandre Santos took over in February last year, bringing a tactical approach focused on defensive stability and structure. Under his guidance, AS FAR has become a formidable opponent, boasting seven clean sheets in their current CAF Champions League campaign.
AS FAR typically employs either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 formation, adapting their style based on their playing venue. Notably, the team excels in set-piece situations and prefers efficient counter-attacking strategies over maintaining possession, making them a dangerous adversary for any opponent.
In the tournament, AS FAR successfully navigated past the first and second rounds with relative ease, eventually being placed in Group B alongside heavyweights Al Ahly, Young Africans, and JS Kabylie. They qualified for the knockout stages as runners-up in their group, finishing just one point behind group leaders Al Ahly and narrowly edging out Young Africans by a single point. Their path to the final saw them eliminate Pyramids FC and RS Berkane, advancing through the quarter-finals and semi-finals on aggregate.
As reported by soccerladuma.co.za.
