Raja begin rebuild as Al Ahly double-header looms

Raja have ended their association with Spanish manager Paco Jemez after a poor run of results, with the decision coming shortly before their two CAF Confederation Cup group-stage meetings with Al Ahly.

The Moroccan club confirmed the change on Monday, following a 2-0 defeat by RS Berkane in the sixth round of the Moroccan league on Sunday.

The result gave RS Berkane their first league victory of the season. They ended a run of four successive draws, taking advantage of home support to claim three points against Raja.

RS Berkane now have seven points from five matches and sit 12th, with a game in hand. Raja have six points from five matches and are 13th.

Raja explain decision

In a statement published on its social media accounts, Raja said the decision followed a detailed review of the team’s sporting situation.

“Raja announces the termination of its contract with coach Paco Jemez, following a comprehensive assessment of the team’s sporting situation, given that the results achieved, the quality of performance and the team’s overall level of development had not reached the sporting ambitions and objectives set by the club,” the statement said.

The club added that its sports committee, working with the sporting administration, had assessed the previous period and concluded that a change in technical leadership was necessary.

Raja said the move was intended to bring fresh impetus to the squad and allow the club to continue pursuing its sporting ambitions.

The Moroccan club also reaffirmed its commitment to its sporting project, saying it would proceed with ambition and responsibility in line with Raja’s objectives, history and status, as well as the expectations of its supporters.

Al Ahly meetings ahead

The managerial change comes with Raja preparing for a challenging period in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Moroccan side are in the same group as Al Ahly, Kara of Togo and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto.

The two meetings with Al Ahly will take place in the third and fourth rounds of the group stage, with attention now focused on who will succeed Jemez and whether the change can affect Raja’s performances before those matches.

Al Ahly are due to host Raja at Cairo International Stadium between 18 and 20 December, in the third round. The return fixture will be played in Morocco between 8 and 10 January, in the fourth round. The competition schedule also carries the date 19 December 2026.

Raja therefore enter a new phase without Jemez, while Al Ahly supporters wait to see whether the coaching decision gives the Moroccan club renewed momentum before the two matches that could influence both sides’ hopes of reaching the next round.