FAR Rabat's Resilient Path to the Final
FAR Rabat has successfully navigated a challenging route to the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, showcasing a remarkable blend of discipline and resilience throughout the tournament. Their journey included significant victories over formidable opponents, such as the defending champions Pyramids and fellow Moroccan club RS Berkane, culminating in a highly anticipated showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns in the final. Over the course of 14 matches, FAR Rabat has demonstrated a formidable defensive record, marking them as one of the strongest contenders in the tournament.
Match-by-Match Breakdown of FAR Rabat's Campaign
FAR Rabat commenced their campaign with a commanding display against Real de Banjul from Gambia, securing a solid 2-0 victory in the first leg and following it up with a 2-1 win at home, advancing with an aggregate score of 4-1. This professional start set the tone for their campaign, reflecting their defensive organization and maturity in handling away games.
The second round posed a sterner test against Guinea's Horoya, where the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw. However, FAR Rabat rose to the occasion in the return fixture, dominating the game with a 3-0 victory, thus reaching the group stage with an aggregate score of 4-1.
In the group stage, FAR Rabat faced a tough challenge in Group B, competing against renowned teams such as Al Ahly, Young Africans, and JS Kabylie. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Young Africans in their opening match, they recovered well with a crucial 1-1 draw against Al Ahly. They managed to secure their advancement to the knockout stage by finishing as runners-up in their group with a total of nine points, highlighting their defensive prowess by conceding only two goals throughout the six matches.
The knockout stage began with a monumental quarter-final clash against the defending champions, Pyramids. FAR Rabat stunned the football community by eliminating them with a 3-2 aggregate score, after a 1-1 draw at home and a spectacular 2-1 away victory in Egypt. This triumph not only showcased their ability to perform under pressure but also emphasized their potential to challenge for the title.
In the semi-finals, FAR Rabat faced a familiar rival in RS Berkane, with the first leg ending in a solid 2-0 victory in favor of FAR Rabat. Although they lost the return leg 1-0, their aggregate score of 2-1 secured their place in the final. Throughout this journey, FAR Rabat has relied on a strategy centered around organization, defensive strength, and timely execution, making them a formidable opponent as they prepare to clash with Sundowns for the continental crown.
As reported by cafonline.com.
