CAF Champions League: Khabba volleys AS FAR past JSK

Hamza Khabba’s 74th minute volley was enough to launch Moroccan club AS FAR back into contention in Group B of the CAF Champions League with Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Algerian club JS Kabylie on Saturday evening.

Despite closed doors preventing the Royal Army club’s supporters from attending, the match was a battle where one moment of quality determined the result in Rabat. Khabba came into the match in the 15th minute for injured forward Mouchcine Bouriga before providing the match winner in the second half.

Both teams had opportunities after an uneventful first half left the teams scoreless at the break. Abdelfettah Hadraf’s free kick found the head of defender Marouane Louadni but JSK goalkeeper Gaya Merbah did well to save without spilling the ball.

Former Raja Casablanca backup Merbah then did well to push Mohamed Hrimat’s curling effort wide, seven minutes after AS FAR keeper Ahmed Reda Tagnouti reacted quickly to deny Billel Messaoudi’s hard shot.

Merbah had little chance to prevent JSK from falling behind, however, when Angola international Tó Carneiro’s firm cross found Khabba for the crucial goal to put the hosts up for good.

AS FAR win 1-0 vs JS Kabylie.#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/mOKnctEPlH

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) January 31, 2026

The club from the Moroccan capital move level with Young Africans in second place in Group B, on five points each. They will host the Tanzanian champions next Saturday in a vital match that could determine who advances to the quarterfinals along with group leaders Al Ahly. Ahly obtained a point away from home at Young Africans earlier in the day.

JSK, now last in the group on two points, face a must-win match next weekend when they host Al Ahly in Tizi Ouzou. They will also likely need to win on the last matchday when they will travel to Zanzibar to face Young Africans.

CAF Champions League: Group B Table