Raja Club Athletic will resume training on Tuesday at their Bouskoura academy following their impressive 3-1 victory over Hassania d’Agadir on Sunday in the 12th round of the Botola Pro. The Moroccan giants are now shifting focus to a demanding schedule in the CAF Champions League group stage.
Under the guidance of Portuguese coach Ricardo Sá Pinto, the squad was granted a brief respite on Monday before preparations begin for their next assignment against DR Congo’s Maniema Union.
The match, scheduled for Saturday, will mark the second group-stage fixture for Raja, who aim to build on their continental campaign.
Raja’s travel itinerary is equally challenging, with the team set to train in Kinshasa on Thursday and Friday before taking on Maniema Union.
Following that encounter, the squad will head to South Africa to face Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria in their third group-stage match, a clash that promises to test their mettle against one of the competition’s strongest contenders.
The return of key players will bolster Raja’s preparations. Mauritanian international Mouhsine Bodda, sidelined after picking up an injury in the Casablanca derby against Wydad, is expected to rejoin training.
Bodda missed recent matches, including the Champions League tie against AS FAR and the domestic league game against Hassania d’Agadir.
Another positive development for Raja comes with the recovery of Mohamed Zrida. The player had been out of action after suffering a concussion during the Champions League encounter with AS FAR.
The club’s medical staff has confirmed that Zrida’s condition has stabilized, and he is set to return to action in time for Saturday’s crucial match.
Raja’s recent performances have sparked optimism among supporters, with the team showing resilience and determination under Sá Pinto’s leadership.
As the team navigates this pivotal stretch, their success in balancing domestic and continental commitments will be critical to their ambitions this season.
With two away fixtures in two demanding environments, Raja Club Athletic faces a challenging test of their form and endurance.
However, the team’s strong squad depth and the timely return of key players could prove decisive in their quest to advance in Africa’s premier club competition.
