Raja score late to beat El Kanemi Warriors and reach TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage
Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic scored two very late goals to beat Nigeria’s El Kanemi Warriors at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca to advance to the 2026-27 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 4-2 aggregate win.
After returning from Ikenne, Nigeria with a 2-2 draw in the 1st leg last weekend, Raja seemed settled for a goalless draw at home that was enough to see them cruising to the group stage but had to beware a late scare from their Nigerian visitors.
But the “Green Eagles” put all fears aside when they took a late lead through Aymen Barkok just two minutes from full time.
The midfielder sent a fascinating freekick to the net to put Raja ahead and all but secure their spot in the group stage.
Five minutes into injury time, it became 2-0 to settle everything for the Moroccans. Portuguese defender Marian Huja doubled the hosts lead, as Raja ended the game on a high note.
Raja, two-time TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions will now continue their quest for a third trophy, starting from the Group Stage.
Primeiro de Agosto completes the double to qualify
In Luanda, Angolan giants Primeiro de Agosto qualified to the group stage after completing the double over DR Congo’s DC Virunga, beating them 1-0 at the Franca Ndalu Stadium, to go through winning 3-1 in aggregate after winning the first leg 2-1 in Kinshasa last weekend.
After a goalless first half, the “Red Blacks” waited till the 87 minutes to take the lead. Mabilson scored what proved to be the game’s lone goal three minutes from full time to send Primeiro de Agosto to the group stage.
The 2009 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter finalists will now await the draw to know their upcoming group stage opponents.