Algerian powerhouse JS Kabylie is set to host Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat in a high-stakes CAF Champions League Group B clash on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The North African derby will take place at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 PM UTC (5:00 PM local time). Both teams enter the match level on one point, occupying the bottom two spots in the group, making this matchday three encounter crucial for keeping their knockout stage hopes alive.
Group B battle for survival
Group B is tightly contested, with Al Ahly SC and Young Africans SC currently leading the pack on four points each. This leaves JS Kabylie and AS FAR Rabat in precarious positions, needing maximum points to close the gap.
JS Kabylie sits at the bottom of the group with a negative goal difference after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Al Ahly in Egypt and a home draw against Young Africans.
AS FAR Rabat is just above them in third place, having lost to Young Africans and secured a 1-1 draw with Al Ahly in a match that saw the Moroccan side handed a two-match behind-closed-doors sanction due to incidents on the field.
Head-to-head history and key dynamics
The two clubs previously met in the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup, with JS Kabylie winning 1-0 away and AS FAR Rabat taking the return leg 2-1 at home. This historical context, combined with the passionate home support, gives JS Kabylie a slight edge in the eyes of some analysts.
AS FAR Rabat, however, brings strong continental experience and a proven ability to secure draws, making them a difficult opponent to break down. The match is expected to be tight and low-scoring, with tactical caution on both sides. The home crowd at Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium will play a key role, driving JS Kabylie to find the goals that have eluded them so far.
What to expect
A win for either side would provide a crucial points and morale boost, while a draw would likely favor the group leaders. Both teams enter the contest with mixed recent domestic form, each recording one win and one loss in their last five games. All eyes will be on this North African showdown as both clubs aim to reignite their CAF Champions League campaigns.
