Rahimo FC face uphill CAF Champions League task after MAS de Fes defeat

Rahimo FC must overturn a three-goal deficit in the second leg after suffering a 4-1 defeat by MAS de Fes in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The Burkina Faso side were beaten by the Moroccan club at the Complexe sportif de Fes on Sunday, leaving them with a difficult task if they are to reach the next round of the competition.

MAS de Fes made the stronger start and took control of the tie inside the opening seven minutes. Adam Brika gave the hosts the lead, putting Rahimo FC on the back foot almost immediately.

The Moroccan side continued to press for a second goal and were rewarded just before half-time. Allouch doubled MAS de Fes’ advantage in the 45th minute, sending the home team into the interval 2-0 ahead.

Rahimo FC responded after the break and briefly gave themselves hope of recovering from the difficult first-half position. Narcisse Ouedraogo pulled a goal back in the 60th minute to make it 2-1 and reduce the deficit to a single goal.

However, the Burkinabe team could not maintain that momentum. Titus restored MAS de Fes’ two-goal advantage in the 72nd minute, before Ibayi struck four minutes later to complete the scoring.

The final 4-1 result gives MAS de Fes a commanding advantage ahead of the return match, while Rahimo FC now need a major turnaround to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive.

The second leg will be played on 12 September in Ouagadougou. Rahimo FC, who represent Bobo-Dioulasso, must win by at least three goals to draw level on aggregate and force the tie into a decisive situation, while a victory by four goals would secure qualification for the next round.

After conceding twice before half-time in Fes, Rahimo FC will need a much stronger defensive performance in the return fixture. Their second-half goal showed they can threaten the Moroccan side, but the late goals from Titus and Ibayi left them facing a substantial challenge.

MAS de Fes will travel to Ouagadougou with the advantage of having scored four times in the opening leg. Rahimo FC, meanwhile, will look to use the home fixture to produce the “exploit” required to overturn the result and progress in the competition.