CAF Champions League: AS FAR fall to RS Berkane but reach final

AS FAR suffered a 1–0 defeat away to RS Berkane on the night but held their nerve to reach the CAF Champions League final 2–1 on aggregate after a tense second leg at Stade Municipal de Berkane.

Protecting a 2–0 lead from the first leg, FAR tried to keep things compact, but Berkane dominated the ball and steadily cranked up the pressure. The breakthrough came on 57 minutes when Yassine Labhiri calmly buried a penalty, sparking belief in the home crowd that a famous comeback was on.

Berkane kept pushing, registering 10 shots to FAR’s 5 and enjoying 64% possession, yet they could not find the second goal that would have forced extra time.

FAR, led from the back by goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti and defender Fallou Mendy, dug in during a nervy final half-hour, with coach Alexandre Santos turning to his bench to inject fresh legs and resilience. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Berkane’s attacks grew more desperate, but the visitors clung on until the final whistle. Defeat on the night will sting, yet FAR’s players celebrated at full time, knowing the bigger prize awaits in the showpiece final.