AS FAR coach faces pressure ahead of key clashes

Alexander Santos, coach of Morocco’s AS FAR, is under significant pressure as his team prepares for two crucial fixtures against Young Africans and Al Ahly in the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

The matches will take place in late November, following the international break, and will be hosted at the Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat, with strong backing from the Moroccan Football Federation.

Santos’s position is at stake, with both media and fans expecting strong results. Last season, despite not winning any local or continental trophies, Santos kept his job by securing second place in the Moroccan league, allowing the AS FAR to qualify for this year’s Champions League. He promised club officials that success in continental and domestic competitions would bring the championship back to the club.

The team currently faces challenges, including the absence of seven key players on international duty, especially captain Rabii Harimat and several main defenders. Some players are training with Morocco’s reserves for the upcoming Arab Cup in Qatar, while others are with their national teams.

Despite these setbacks, Santos is expected to deliver wins in both matches. The club reinforced its squad with 12 new signings in the summer transfer window, including big names like Reda Slim, returning from Al Ahly, and Mohsen Bourika from FC Sion in Switzerland. AS FAR is also counting on fan support at the 70,000-seat stadium after recent successes, such as advancing past Horoya Conakry.

With player absences and mounting expectations, Santos faces one of his toughest tests as coach, and the outcome of these fixtures will likely determine his future with the club