AFCON Women’s Champions League : Morocco’s AS FAR Bests Egypt’s FC Masar 2-1 to Reach Final

Morocco’s AS FAR on Tuesday secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Egypt’s FC Masar to reach the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Touted as favorites, the defending Moroccan champions showed their determination to continue their journey. From the first whistle, they displayed sharp focus, leaving no room for chance.

Their intensity quickly paid off. In the 11th minute, Safa Banouk opened the scoring for the Rabat-based team.

However, a momentary lapse nearly cost them. Sandrine Niyonkuru, brought down in the box by Hajar Said, was awarded a penalty. But Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi rose to the occasion, brilliantly denying the Burundian striker’s attempt.

AS FAR came close to extending their lead with several dangerous chances, but FC Masar’s defense held firm. Doha El Madani and Sanaa Mssoudy showed promise in attack but lacked precision in front of goal.  

In the second half, the Moroccan side, led by the composed and experienced Nouhaila Benzina, managed the game well. Despite FC Masar’s persistent efforts, their attacks failed to break through AS FAR’s aggressive and compact defensive line. The Moroccan midfield dictated the tempo, thwarting Egyptian advances and creating counterattacking opportunities.

In stoppage time, Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyuwa, after consulting VAR, awarded a penalty to FC Masar. Maya Ehab converted to equalize, seemingly tilting the momentum.  

But AS FAR struck back instantly. Just seconds later, Doha El Madani delivered a decisive blow, converting a spectacular left-sided free kick to seal the victory.  

AS FAR will now face TP Mazembe in the final, led by Moroccan coach Lamia Boumehdi. The two teams met in the group stage, with AS FAR claiming a 3-1 victory.  

This marks AS FAR’s second final appearance, the first being in Morocco in 2022, the year they claimed their maiden title. A win in this final would see them equal the record for most titles (2) held by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially unveiled on Monday the shortlist of five finalists nominees in each of the men’s categories at CAF Awards 2024, including Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, shortlisted for African Player of the Year.

In addition to Moroccan and French club Paris Saint-Germain’s right-back, other contenders for the prestigious African Player of the Year award include Ivorian Simon Adingra (Brighton and Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).

In the “Young Player of the Year” category, Moroccan international Eliesse Ben Seghir, who plays for French club AS Monaco, is in the running alongside Karim Konaté (Côte d’Ivoire/Salzburg), Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire/Reims), Yankuba Minteh (Gambia/Brighton and Hove Albion) and Lamine Camara (Senegal/AS Monaco).

As for the Club of the Year category, the list of five finalists includes Berkane Renaissance alongside South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt’s Al Ahly and Zamalek as well as Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

The prestigious CAF Awards 2024 ceremony will take place in Marrakech on December 16.

The Clubs Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), meeting on Wednesday to discuss the match between Renaissance Sportive of Berkane and USM Alger in the semi-final second leg of the CAF Cup, confirmed RS Berkane’s qualification for the final of this continental competition, following the withdrawal of the Algerian club.

In a press release, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said on Thursday it had received a copy of the CAF Clubs Committee’s decision concerning the USM Alger-RS Berkane match in the CAF Cup semi-final second leg, in which the Committee officially confirmed RS Berkane’s qualification for the 2023-2024 CAF Cup final.

According to FRMF, the Committee unanimously decided to sanction USM Alger with a 0-3 forfeit, and to submit the case to the Disciplinary Jury for possible additional sanctions.

In the CAF Confederation Cup final, RS Berkane will face Egyptian club Zamalek on May 12 in Berkane for the first leg, and on May 19 in Cairo for the second leg.

Moroccan club Renaissance Sportive of Berkane have qualified for the final of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Cup, following the withdrawal of Algeria’s USM Alger.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) congratulated RS Berkane on their qualification in a message published on its website.

“The President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, congratulates the Renaissance Sportive of Berkane, on behalf of the FRMF Board of Directors, following their qualification for the final of the 2023-2024 CAF Cup, after the USM Alger club forfeited the game, this Sunday at the Berkane Municipal Stadium,” wrote the FRMF.

USM Alger withdrew from Sunday evening’s CAF Cup semi-final second leg against RS Berkane, scheduled for 8.00 pm at Berkane Municipal Stadium.

In the final of the CAF Cup, RS Berkane will face Egyptian club Zamalek, semi-final winners over Dreams FC of Ghana.

The Club Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday considered the Moroccan team RS Berkane victorious with a score of three unanswered goals at the expense of USM Algiers, maintaining April 28 as the date for the second-leg game between the two teams at the Municipal Stadium in Berkane.

   In a press release, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said that it has received a copy of the decision of the CAF Club Committee regarding the USM Algiers-RS Berkane game, for the first leg of the CAF Cup semi-final.

   According to the FRMF, the Committee also decided to submit this case to the disciplinary jury for possible additional penalties.

Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca (WAC) was knocked out of the African Champions League despite its 1-0 win over Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas, Saturday at the Marrakech Grand Stadium, during the 6th and final day of group B.

Mountassir Lahtimi scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute.