African competitions: Berkane in a strong position, MAS, AS FAR and Raja under pressure

Second leg: This weekend, the second leg of CAF interclub competitions places four Moroccan clubs facing their destiny. In the Champions League, RSB, winner of the first leg, hosts Start Sport Academy, while MAS travels to Abidjan. In the CAF Cup, AS FAR and Raja Casablanca have a great opportunity to win at home. After a first leg that delivered its first verdicts, the continental scene resumes this weekend. While the four Moroccan representatives have kept all their chances, they do not present themselves in the same situation. It is Renaissance Sportive de Berkane that approaches this second leg in the best conditions. Victorious in the first leg with a score of 2-0 against the Sierra Leoneans of Start Sport Academy, the club from the Oriental region has taken a serious option on qualification. They will host them on Saturday with the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd and managing a two-goal cushion. The Berkanis, accustomed to continental competitions, know however that such an advantage does not dispense with vigilance. The challenge will be to confirm their superiority and not give the opponent the opportunity to relaunch the match. On the other hand, the mission looks considerably more delicate for Maghreb de Fès. Held to a draw in the first leg (1-1), the club from the spiritual capital will travel on Sunday to face the Ivorians of ASEC Mimosas, a club renowned for its experience in major African events and for the atmosphere of its supporters. The draw in the first leg, however, leaves qualification open. The Fassis will have to deliver a solid performance, with rigorous defence and effectiveness at key moments, to hope to achieve a result in Abidjan. In the Confederation Cup, AS FAR will host the multi-sport club from Korhogo, to whom they conceded a goalless draw (0-0) in the first leg. A result that leaves everything to play for, but which requires the Military to be more incisive in front of goal. In Rabat, AS FAR will have the advantage of their home ground and their supporters. Facing an Ivorian team that managed to be defensively solid in the first leg, patience and precision will be decisive. Raja Casablanca, for its part, brought back a precious and decisive draw (2-2) from Nigeria against El Kanemi Warriors. An encouraging score, as the two away goals constitute a valuable asset before the return leg. At home, the Greens will have the opportunity to get the better of their opponent and secure their ticket. Nevertheless, the Nigerians showed in the first leg that they know how to hurt their hosts and that they have several offensive arguments to put forward. Raja will therefore have to avoid being defensively fragile and rely on the fervour of its supporters to impose its rhythm. Between Berkane's comfortable advantage, MAS's Ivorian challenge, and the open confrontations of AS FAR and Raja, this weekend will tell if the national football representatives can confirm the rise of Moroccan football in African competitions and the ability to achieve a clean sweep. Everyone knows the stakes: at this level, a single misstep can compromise everything. Receive the latest news from Aujourd'hui Le Maroc directly on WhatsApp