Fes champions begin African campaign with Rahimo FC test in CAF Champions League

The Maghreb de Fes return to the CAF Champions League for the first time in 14 years when they host Rahimo FC of Burkina Faso in the first preliminary round on Sunday.

The match will be played at the Complexe sportif de Fes, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time in Morocco, or 19:00 GMT. It is the first leg of the 2026-27 preliminary-round tie.

Maghreb de Fes enter the competition as Moroccan champions after securing the Botola Pro 2025-26 title on the final day of the season. They defeated Olympique Dcheira 2-0 to claim a fifth Moroccan league championship and book their return to Africa’s leading club competition.

The Fes club also have a significant record in continental football. They won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2011, giving them previous experience of success on the African stage.

Their return to the CAF Champions League represents an opportunity to revive that continental tradition, although they face opponents with an impressive recent record of their own.

Rahimo FC have established themselves among the leading teams in Burkina Faso in recent seasons. They won the 2025 Burkina Faso Ligue 1 title and completed a domestic double by also lifting the 2025 Coupe du Faso.

That record means Maghreb de Fes will need to avoid underestimating their opponents as they begin their campaign. The Moroccan side will aim to use home advantage to secure a positive first-leg result before travelling to Burkina Faso for the return fixture.

The second leg is due to take place between 11 and 13 September.

The tie carries added importance because the winners will progress to a second preliminary-round meeting with the team that comes through the contest between ASEC Mimosas and ASKO de Kara.

Success against Rahimo FC would therefore set up the possibility of another West African challenge in the next round. For now, however, Maghreb de Fes must first negotiate a demanding opening tie against the Burkinabe champions.

The fixture marks the club’s first appearance in the CAF Champions League since their previous participation 14 years ago. Their status as Botola Pro champions, combined with their past continental success, will raise expectations in Fes, but Rahimo FC arrive as a side who have also recently demonstrated their ability to win major domestic honours.