CAF Champions League: AS FAR March into Group Stage as Monastir Exit

Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR Rabat are safely through to the group stage of the CAF Champions League after an impressive 3–0 triumph over Guinea’s Horoya AC at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex on Saturday night.

The victory sealed a 4–1 aggregate win for the defending Moroccan champions, who had drawn 1–1 in Conakry in the first leg.

Captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat calmly converted a first-half penalty to set the tone before Horoya’s defence faltered under pressure, conceding an own goal midway through the second half.

Substitute Jamal Ech-Chammakh wrapped up the result in the dying moments with a fine finish to confirm AS FAR’s back-to-back qualification for the group stage.

The result further cements AS FAR’s reputation as one of North Africa’s most consistent sides, as they look to make a deep run in the competition for the first time since their 1985 continental triumph.

Elsewhere, Tunisia’s US Monastir bowed out of the tournament despite a spirited effort away to JS Kabylie in Algeria. After suffering a heavy 3–0 defeat in the first leg, Monastir showed determination but went down 2–1, losing 5–1 on aggregate.

Lahlou Akhrib gave Kabylie the lead early on, but Raed Chikhaoui’s header restored hope for the visitors before halftime. Monastir fought hard in the second half, with Ibrahim Souissi threatening and goalkeeper Abdessalem Hlaoui making key saves to keep them in the contest. However, Akhrib struck again in stoppage time to end Monastir’s continental run.

Though eliminated, Monastir’s resilience and attacking intent earned admiration, as they now turn attention to their domestic campaign.