CAF Champions League: ASCK accused of witchcraft by RS Berkane

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CAF Champions League: ASCK accused of witchcraft by RS Berkane

Togo’s ASCK secured a 1-1 draw against Morocco’s RS Berkane on Sunday in Lomé, taking the lead before conceding an equalizer.

While the match ended in a stalemate, the Moroccan club has reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the result.

RS Berkane’s officials have claimed that ASCK engaged in unconventional practices prior to the game.

According to reports, the Moroccan side alleges that rituals amounting to witchcraft were carried out on the pitch, which they believe affected their players’ performance and ultimately influenced the outcome of the match.

“The Renaissance Sportive de Berkane is preparing to file a complaint with CAF against Togo’s ASC Kara,” reported journalist Micky Junior.

“The Moroccan club claims that prior to the preliminary round match played yesterday, ritualistic acts were performed on the field.

According to Berkane, these actions disrupted their players and impacted the final score of 1-1.”

The accusations highlight an unusual controversy in the CAF Champions League, where ASCK’s resilience on home soil earned them a valuable point against a traditionally strong Moroccan side.

Despite the claims, the Togolese club has not issued any public response regarding the allegations.

For ASCK, the draw represents a positive start in the preliminary rounds, maintaining their hopes of progressing further in Africa’s premier club competition.

The team showed tactical discipline and composure, managing to hold off a technically superior RS Berkane side and secure a deserved share of the spoils.

CAF is yet to comment on the matter, but the situation raises questions about how governing bodies will handle such claims, given the unusual nature of the allegations.

Football in Africa has occasionally witnessed controversies that extend beyond the pitch, yet formal complaints related to supernatural practices remain exceptionally rare at the continental level.

RS Berkane, meanwhile, faces the task of regrouping before the return leg, which will be decisive for both sides in determining who advances to the next round.

The Moroccan side, historically strong in CAF competitions, will likely aim to overturn the result on their home ground while addressing the mental and tactical aspects that influenced the first-leg draw.

The incident underscores the intense pressure and high stakes of CAF competitions, where both psychological and physical preparation play a critical role.

While the claims of witchcraft may provoke debate and curiosity, the focus will ultimately remain on the upcoming match, where both teams must deliver on the field to secure progression.

ASCK’s point in Lomé, coupled with the controversy surrounding RS Berkane’s allegations, ensures that the preliminary round of this CAF Champions League tie is already attracting widespread attention and anticipation across African football circles.