ASFAR have booked their place in the CAF Champions League final after edging fellow Moroccan side RS Berkane 2-1 on aggregate, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat in the second leg at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday night.
The result sends ASFAR back to the continent’s showpiece final for the first time since their historic triumph in 1985, as they held on to the advantage built in last weekend’s 2-0 first-leg victory in Rabat.
RS Berkane produced a spirited display in front of their home supporters and claimed a deserved win on the night through a first-half penalty converted by Yassine Labhiri. However, their efforts fell short of overturning the aggregate deficit.
The hosts started brightly, dominating possession and pushing ASFAR deep into their half. Despite their control, clear chances were limited in the opening stages, with ASFAR remaining disciplined and compact in defence.
Berkane came closest in the 19th minute when Youssef Mehri broke into the box from the right and cut the ball back, but Paul Bassene failed to convert under pressure from ASFAR defenders.
ASFAR, though under sustained pressure, threatened on the counter shortly after. In the 21st minute, Abdelfettah Hadraf delivered a fine pass to release Nolan Mbemba, but the midfielder squandered the opportunity, firing over with only goalkeeper Anas Zniti to beat.
The match remained goalless at halftime before controversy struck six minutes into the second half. Bassene went down inside the box under minimal contact from Anas Bach, and despite a VAR review, the referee upheld his decision to award a penalty. Labhiri stepped up confidently and sent Ahmed Tagnaouti the wrong way to give Berkane a 1-0 lead on the night.
Berkane pushed for a second goal to reignite their hopes, with Labhiri coming close again in the 63rd minute, but Tagnaouti produced a crucial save to preserve ASFAR’s aggregate advantage.
ASFAR responded with a spell of pressure, and Hadraf nearly sealed the tie with a curling effort that was well kept out by Zniti.
That proved to be the final major action of the contest, as ASFAR managed the closing stages effectively to secure their place in the final.
The Moroccan giants will now face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns over two legs in May, with continental glory once again within reach.
