This Sunday, the Berkane Municipal Stadium will host the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final between RS Berkane and Zamalek of Cairo.
For RS Berkane, making only their second appearance in a continental competition, reaching the final is already a historic achievement. A victory would see them succeed Raja Casablanca, the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup champions. Facing the Egyptian giants will be a daunting task, but the Moroccan side is particularly formidable at home. This season, RSB has remained unbeaten in all home matches except for a group-stage draw against Raja. Their resilience and determination have been key to their success, most memorably in the semi-finals when they overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against CS Sfaxien, three-time winners of the competition, by winning 3-0 in Berkane to secure their maiden final appearance.
Coach Mounir Jaâouani is aware of the challenge ahead: “Zamalek remains a major force in continental football, and they will bear the brunt of the pressure of the final. RS Berkane will play their style of football and strive for a convincing result in preparation for the return leg.” He also called on fans to pack the stadium and support the team against a Cairo side that had previously eliminated two Moroccan clubs— Ittihad Tanger in the second round and Hassania Agadir in the quarterfinals.
With determination and home advantage on their side, RS Berkane will aim to secure a strong result this Sunday to approach the return leg in Egypt with confidence.
