CAFCL: RS Berkane survive difficult Al Ahli Tripoli test to reach group stage

RS Berkane survived a duel between Morocco and Libya’s best clubs on Saturday and advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL), winning 2-1 at home in the second leg for a 3-2 aggregate victory to complete the final round of qualifying from Africa’s top club competition.

Moroccan champions Berkane were given all they could handle by their big spending Libyan opponents in a clash between two ambitious North African clubs who spent millions on transfers to reach the CAFCL group stage. However, in the end, it was Berkane who overcame an early goal from Ahli’s Muaid Ellafi to respond with two goals and finish the job after a 1-1 first leg result in Tripoli.

The visitors from Libya took the lead in remarkable circumstances just after ten minutes played. Poor passing out of the back by RSB allowed Ahli to win the ball and Libya international Ellafi unleashed an incredible strike from distance that looped over RSB goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui and into the goal.

But the Moroccan champions showed their ability to overcome adversity. Before the half hour mark, the “Orange Boys” responded when Senegalese forward Paul Bassene fired a low shot after receiving a flick-on header from Mamadou Lamine Camara following a throw-in.

Early in the second half, it was midfielder Camara who initiated the crucial second goal for RSB with the teams tied 2-2 on aggregate. The Senegalese player lifted an excellent pass over the top of the Ahli defense to find countryman Bassene, who took a touch before crossing low to Ayoub Khairi. The midfielder’s sliding finish caught goalkeeper Ahmed Ayad off guard and he could only watch as the shot snuck inside his near post.

It is a massive result for RSB, who escape a difficult opponent to follow up winning the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup by qualifying for the Champions League group stage. RSB will find out their group stage opponents when the Champions League and Confederation Cup group stage draws take place on Monday in Johannesburg while Al Ahli Tripoli will focus on defending their title in the upcoming Libyan Premier League season.