FAR Rabat remain cautious despite first-leg advantage ahead of Berkane showdown
FAR Rabat coach Alexander dos Santos has warned his side that their place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final is far from secured, despite holding a 2-0 advantage over RS Berkane ahead of Saturday’s decisive second leg.
The Moroccan champions travel to Berkane for what promises to be a fiercely contested domestic showdown, with a place in the continental final at stake. While FAR Rabat took control of the tie with a commanding victory in Rabat last week, their coach insists the outcome remains open.
“This is only half-time,” dos Santos said in his pre-match press conference. “The first leg ended in our favour because we deserved it and played well, but everything can change. That is football.”
Caution despite historic progress
FAR Rabat’s first-leg win marked a significant milestone for the club, who are competing in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in four decades.
Dos Santos described the achievement as “historic” but stressed that his players must remain focused to complete the job.
“This is the first time we have reached the semi-finals after 40 years, and it is a great and very important achievement for the club,” he said. “But we must stay concentrated because the task is not finished.”
The tie also highlights the strength of Moroccan football, with two clubs from the country competing at this advanced stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
“The presence of two Moroccan teams in the semi-finals reflects the great development of Moroccan football,” dos Santos added.
Berkane test looms large
Despite their two-goal cushion, FAR Rabat are bracing for a difficult encounter against a Berkane side determined to overturn the deficit on home soil.
The second leg represents what dos Santos described as the “second half” of the contest, with momentum and pressure likely to shift as the match unfolds.
“We expect a great match from both teams,” he said, acknowledging the quality and experience of their opponents, who are the defending champions.
Players target final berth
Defender Marouane Louadni echoed his coach’s cautious optimism, insisting the team’s collective strength will be key to securing qualification.
“Our strength lies in the group,” he said. “We play as one unit, from the striker to the goalkeeper, and we will go into this match with one objective — to qualify for the final.”
Louadni also underlined the scale of the challenge facing FAR Rabat, particularly against a team with Berkane’s pedigree.
“It is not easy to face the defending champions and qualify against them,” he added. “We understand the responsibility, but we are ready for it.”
Attack-minded approach
Despite holding a first-leg advantage, FAR Rabat are not expected to adopt a purely defensive approach in Berkane.
Louadni made it clear that the team intends to remain proactive, emphasising their ambition to win the match rather than simply protect their lead.
“We will not be satisfied with defending,” he said. “FAR Rabat is a great team, and although Berkane are also strong, we came here to win. We have a strong group and strong players.”
With both sides determined to impose themselves, Saturday’s clash is set to deliver another intense chapter in an all-Moroccan battle for a place in the CAF Champions League final.