Morocco’s Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RS Berkane) cemented their legacy as a powerhouse in African club football by clinching the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2024/2025 season, their third title in the competition following triumphs in 2020 and 2022.
The final, a gripping two-leg showdown against Tanzania’s Simba SC, ended with a 3-1 aggregate victory for the Moroccan side, showcasing their tactical discipline, resilience, and flair.
The first leg, hosted on May 17, 2025, at the electrified Berkane Municipal Stadium, saw RS Berkane dominate from the outset. The home crowd, draped in orange, roared as Mamadou Camara opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a clinical header off a pinpoint cross from captain Issoufou Dayo.
The stadium erupted again in the 68th minute when Oussama Lamlioui, weaving through Simba’s defense, rifled a low shot past goalkeeper Ally Salim to secure a 2-0 lead.
Berkane’s high-pressing game and fluid passing overwhelmed Simba, who struggled to create chances against a resolute Moroccan backline anchored by goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani.
The second leg, played on May 25, 2025, in the humid coastal air of Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium, was a test of Berkane’s mettle. Simba SC, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, came out swinging.
In the 17th minute, Joshua Mutale capitalized on a rare defensive lapse, slotting a precise shot past Hamiani to halve the aggregate deficit.
The Tanzanian side pushed for an equalizer, but controversy struck in the 55th minute when a Simba goal was disallowed for offside, a decision that sparked heated protests from the home bench.
Tensions escalated further when Simba’s Yusuf Kagoma received a red card in the 72nd minute for a reckless challenge, leaving his team with ten men.
RS Berkane, unfazed, equalized in the 80th minute through a composed finish by Youssef Elfahli, sealing a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
This victory was more than a trophy for RS Berkane; it was a testament to their growing dominance in African football. Under coach Moïn Chaâbani, the team’s blend of experienced stalwarts like Dayo and emerging talents like Camara showcased a squad built for sustained success.
Their journey to the final was no fluke, having navigated tough knockout ties against Nigeria’s Enyimba FC and Algeria’s CS Constantine with a mix of defensive solidity and attacking verve.
The club’s third CAF Confederation Cup title tied them with CS Sfaxien and TP Mazembe for the most in the competition’s history, a feat celebrated widely across Morocco.
King Mohammed VI personally congratulated the team, issuing a statement that praised their “professionalism, determination, and unwavering commitment to elevating Morocco’s footballing prestige.”
In Berkane, the victory sparked jubilant scenes, with thousands of fans flooding the streets, waving flags, and chanting anthems in honor of their heroes. The club’s president, Hakim Benabdallah, dedicated the win to the fans, crediting their unwavering support as the team’s “12th man.”
The triumph also carried broader significance for Moroccan football. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup (co-hosted with Spain and Portugal) on the horizon, RS Berkane’s success underscored the country’s growing influence in the sport.
The club’s consistent performances in continental competitions have made them a source of national pride, with analysts pointing to their robust youth academy and strategic recruitment as a model for other African clubs.
Simba SC, the defeat was a bitter pill, but their spirited performance in the second leg earned respect. Coach Abdelhak Benchikha vowed to return stronger, emphasizing the club’s ambition to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite.
Meanwhile, RS Berkane’s players returned home as heroes, their orange kits now synonymous with continental glory.
