Rahimo FC face packed Fes test in CAF Champions League opener

Rahimo FC will begin their CAF Champions League campaign against Maghreb Association Sportive de Fes on Sunday, aiming to return from Morocco with a result that keeps their first-round tie firmly in their hands.

The first leg of the preliminary round is scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the Complexe sportif de Fes. The match is expected to be played in front of a sold-out crowd, giving the Moroccan side home advantage for the opening meeting.

For Rahimo FC, the priority is to negotiate the away fixture successfully before the second leg in Ouagadougou. The Burkina Faso representatives want either a victory or a draw, with both outcomes leaving them well placed ahead of the return match.

A win would give Rahimo FC the strongest possible platform for the second encounter. However, avoiding defeat would also represent a valuable result, allowing the club to protect its chances of progressing when the tie moves to Burkina Faso.

The challenge will be to remain disciplined and resilient against Maghreb Association Sportive de Fes, particularly with the Moroccan club backed by its home supporters. Rahimo FC’s players will need to show defensive solidity and concentration throughout the match if they are to achieve their objective in Fes.

The travelling side’s task is therefore clear: secure a favourable scoreline in the opening leg and take the tie back to Ouagadougou with everything still to play for. The return fixture will give Rahimo FC the opportunity to draw on support from the Burkinabe public, but the club must first deal with the pressure of Sunday’s match in Morocco.

With the stadium announced as full, the conditions will be demanding for the visitors from the outset. Rahimo FC are nevertheless targeting a performance that can provide momentum for the remainder of the preliminary-round contest.

The tie represents the first stage of the two clubs’ CAF Champions League campaign. After Sunday’s meeting at the Complexe sportif de Fes, the return match in Ouagadougou will determine which side can advance from the contest.

For now, Rahimo FC’s ambition is to leave Fes with a positive result. Whether that comes through a victory or a draw, the Burkina Faso club knows that a strong first-leg performance would preserve its hopes before the decisive second meeting.