CAF Champions League: ES Sétif Warned as Raja Casablanca Eye Historic Comeback in Maghreb Derby
Friday’s second leg of the CAF Champions League round of 16 between ES Sétif and Raja Casablanca promises to be an explosive Maghreb derby, with history and ambition fueling both sides. Following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Casablanca, the reigning African champions, ES Sétif, hold a slight advantage. But Raja, known for pulling off continental feats, are determined to reverse the tide.
El Hedi Belameiri Sounds the Alarm
Sétif forward El Hedi Belameiri is urging caution despite the favorable scoreline from the first leg:
“We must not have more confidence than necessary. We will have to manage the match well. We achieved a good result in the first leg. It’s up to us to confirm that.”
Belameiri also pinpointed specific concerns in the defensive setup:
“We conceded two goals from set pieces. I think we will have to make some necessary corrections to avoid making mistakes inside our penalty area. Otherwise, things went well.”
Sétif is wary of falling into the Confederation Cup via elimination and is focused on advancing to the group stage of Africa’s elite club competition.
Raja Casablanca: History as a Weapon
Raja’s belief isn’t just rooted in optimism—it’s backed by precedent. As Le Matin notes:
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27 years ago, Raja knocked out Mouloudia d’Oran on penalties in Algeria.
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15 years ago, they stunned Espérance de Tunis at the Al Manzeh Stadium in Tunisia.
This legacy of resilience is what fuels today’s Green Eagles, who aim to write another golden chapter in their illustrious continental history.
What’s at Stake?
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For Sétif: Confirmation of their status as defending champions and progress to the group stage.
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For Raja: A chance to revive their continental campaign and reassert their stature in African football.
With tensions high, crowds passionate, and qualification on a knife’s edge, the North African clash in Sétif is set to be one of the most anticipated ties of the round.
