The spotlight falls on the Stade Olympique de Rabat as the CAF Champions League group stage reaches its penultimate round today, February 7, 2026.
AS FAR Rabat and Young Africans (Yanga) find themselves locked in a high-stakes battle for survival in Group B.
With both sides currently sitting on five points, this fixture serves as a de facto playoff for the second quarter-final spot behind group leaders Al Ahly.
The Battle for Quarter-Final Progression
This Matchday 5 encounter is defined by the razor-thin margin between the two clubs. Having both recorded one win, two draws, and one loss, the mathematical implications are clear: a victory for either side would provide a massive three-point cushion heading into the final round.
For AS FAR, playing in front of their home supporters in Rabat is a significant advantage. The Moroccan giants have turned their home ground into a fortress, remaining unbeaten in their last 10 continental home fixtures.
Conversely, Young Africans are desperate to break a traveling hoodoo, having failed to find the back of the net in their last three away matches in the competition.
Tactical Dynamics and Key Personnel
The tactical battle will likely center on AS FAR’s ability to break down a resilient Yanga defense. The Moroccans will look to striker Hamza Khabba, whose recent match-winner against JS Kabylie kept their campaign alive.
Young Africans received a significant emotional and tactical boost this week with the return of Clement Mzize. The forward traveled with the squad after a lengthy injury layoff and offers Yanga a clinical edge they have lacked in recent away trips.
The match also features a duel between two of Africa’s most consistent goalkeepers; Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti and Djigui Diarra have both been instrumental, each registering nine saves during this group stage.
Revenge and Head-to-Head Stakes
There is an underlying narrative of revenge for the hosts. In the reverse fixture held in November 2025, Young Africans secured a narrow 1–0 victory in Zanzibar.
Under CAF rules, head-to-head results are the primary tiebreaker; therefore, AS FAR needs more than just a win—they need a result that overturns that aggregate scoreline to ensure they hold the advantage should they finish level on points after Matchday 6.
With Al Ahly likely to top the group, this “six-pointer” in Rabat will determine which of these two giants continues their journey toward African glory and which will see their season end prematurely.
