The story is unfolding for Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB). The Moroccan club has secured its very first qualification for the group stage of the African Champions League, the pinnacle of African club football. After a thrilling preliminary round confrontation, RSB clinched its ticket against the Libyan club Al Ahli Tripoli, winning with an aggregate score of 3-2.
The qualification was decided during a high-stakes return match held at the Municipal Stadium of Berkane. After bringing back a promising draw (1-1) from Tripoli, the Oranges were caught off guard. In the 10th minute, Libyan playmaker Muaid Ellafi stunned the crowd by opening the scoring with a superb long-range shot, forcing RSB to chase the result in front of their home fans.
In the face of this adversity, the Berkane players demonstrated unwavering determination. Their high pressing paid off in the 28th minute when Senegalese Paul Bassène restored parity with a pivot shot. It was in the second half, in the 54th minute, that striker Ayoub Khairi freed his teammates, converting a play initiated by the first goal scorer, Paul Bassène, to net the winning goal (2-1). Despite desperate attempts from the Libyans at the end of the match, RSB’s defense held firm, ensuring a historic victory.
For Berkane, already boasting an impressive trophy cabinet (three-time holder of the CAF Confederation Cup title and winner of the Super Cup), this accession is a giant leap. The club, dear to Fouzi Lekjaa and the reigning champion of Morocco, is now on a final quest: to add the coveted Champions trophy to its continental shelf.
