Latest news with #Berkane
CAF
03-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Moïne Chaâbani reflects on TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup success
RS Berkane's head coach, Moïne Chaâbani, has expressed his pride in guiding the Moroccan club to victory in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup following their recent triumph over Tanzania's Simba SC. The Tunisian manager emphasised that this continental title was one of the club's primary objectives this season, particularly after the disappointment of losing last year's final to Egypt's Zamalek, which denied Berkane a third title. Speaking exclusively to CAFOnline, Chaâbani reflected on the key factors that led to RS Berkane's third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title. Congratulations on winning the CAF Confederation Cup TotalEnergies. How does it feel to lift a continental trophy with RS Berkane? Firstly, thank you very much for the kind words. Of course, it's an incredible feeling of pride and honour. This trophy was one of our main targets this season, especially after the disappointment of last year's final loss. This is your second title of the season with RS Berkane, having also secured the Moroccan league title the first in the club's history. What are your thoughts on achieving the double? This title adds to what was already a significant achievement winning the Moroccan Botola Pro, which was very tough. But thanks to the collective efforts of everyone at the club, we were able to win it deservedly. I'm especially proud to have claimed my first trophy with this dear club. You've now joined the elite list of coaches to have won both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League twice with Espérance Tunis and the CAF Confederation Cup now with Berkane. What does that mean to you? Winning the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League twice before made this new continental title even more special. Thank God, the dream came true. I'd like to thank everyone who played a part in this success, whether directly or indirectly. You lost the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup final last season to Zamalek. Was that a strong motivation for this season's success? Yes, continuing the work we started last season was one of the key reasons behind this year's success. That defeat fuelled our determination to come back stronger. Looking back, what do you think was the key factor behind RS Berkane's success and the double this season? We had an intense and demanding pre-season. I want to thank all the players for the sacrifices and the huge effort they put in throughout the campaign. After winning the Moroccan league, RS Berkane will now compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League next season. What are your expectations, and do you believe the team is ready to win it after three CAF Confederation Cup titles? As we head into next season's CAF Champions League, I believe RS Berkane has now gained enough experience on the African stage. Of course, the competition will be tougher than the Confederation Cup, but I genuinely believe this team can go all the way and win the CAF Champions League, God willing. Finally, a message to the RS Berkane fans who supported the team throughout the season. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the RS Berkane fans for their incredible support this season.
CAF
02-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Pyramids to face Berkane in CAF Super Cup after historic Champions League win
Published: Sunday, 01 June 2025 Newly crowned TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC will take on Morocco's RS Berkane in the upcoming CAF Super Cup, following their dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory over Mamelodi Sundowns to secure their first continental title. The date and venue of the CAF Super Cup fixture will be announced by CAF in the coming days, but the match is already building up as a clash of champions. Pyramids will represent the Champions League, while Berkane booked their place after winning the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup. The fixture will be a reunion of sorts, as Pyramids lost to Berkane in the 2020 Confederation Cup final—a result they will be eager to avenge. This time, however, they return as Champions League winners after a convincing campaign capped by a 3-2 aggregate win over South African giants Sundowns in the final. Goals from Fiston Mayele and Ahmed Samy at Cairo's 30 June Stadium secured the title for the Egyptian club, who have now joined Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily as Egypt's continental champions. Their victory also ensured that Egypt remains dominant in African club football, winning the CAF Champions League for the third consecutive season. The Super Cup presents another opportunity for Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić to add silverware to his growing legacy at the club. Having already won the Egypt Cup, Jurčić made history by becoming the first Croatian coach to lift the CAF Champions League title. He now eyes further success against a well-organised Berkane side renowned for their continental pedigree. In addition to the Super Cup, Pyramids have also qualified for the Intercontinental Cup in 2025, where they will join New Zealand's Auckland City and Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahly. That global competition will bring together the champions from different confederations, offering another prestigious stage for the Egyptian side. Furthermore, Pyramids have sealed a spot in the expanded 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, which will feature 32 of the world's best club sides. Their qualification confirms Pyramids' arrival on the global stage, just a decade after the club's establishment. From domestic contenders to continental champions, Pyramids FC now look set to test themselves against the best clubs from around the world.
Observer
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
RS Berkane clinch 3rd CAF Confederation Cup title
JOHANNESBURG: Soumaila Sidibe equalised in added time to give Renaissance Berkane of Morocco a 1-1 draw with 10-man Simba of Tanzania on Sunday, rubber-stamping a third CAF Confederation Cup title in six seasons. Berkane triumphed 3-1 on aggregate after building a two-goal lead in the first leg of the final in Morocco last Sunday. It was the fifth final appearance for the Moroccan club — they also triumphed in 2020 and 2022, and were runners-up in 2019 and 2024. Malian Sidibe came off the bench and dispossessed an opponent inside the area on 93 minutes, before scoring with a shot that beat Guinean goalkeeper Moussa Camara at his near post. Simba went ahead in the second leg of the final in Zanzibar City after 17 minutes when Zambian Joshua Mutale took advantage of being unmarked at the far post to fire a low effort into the net. Berkane squandered a great chance to equalise on the day when captain Issoufou Dayo headed over from close range. That chance came after Camara dived to parry away an Adil Tahif far-post header before a capacity 15,000 crowd at the Amaan Stadium in the Indian Ocean island. Simba suffered a huge blow on 50 minutes when midfielder Yusuph Kagoma was sent off after a foul on Imad Riahi triggered a second yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Simba pressed for a second goal that would level the aggregate score, and thought they had done so on 73 minutes. A free-kick by Ivorian Jean Charles Ahoua was headed past Berkane goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi by Ugandan Steven Mukwala only for the goal to be ruled offside after a lengthy VAR review. The second leg build-up was overshadowed by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to move the match from Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland to semi-autonomous Zanzibar. A CAF inspection of the 60,000-capacity Benjamin Mkapa national stadium pitch revealed several problems. "Naturally, this outcome is disheartening. We will go to Zanzibar not by choice, but by duty," said Simba owner Mo Dewji. After eight consecutive appearances in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, Berkane will not defend the Confederation Cup next season. The Orange Boys recently won the Moroccan league for the first time and will compete in the next CAF Champions League. Simba have also qualified for the premier African club competition. Berkane pocketed $2 million and will receive a further $500,000 if they beat Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa or Pyramids of Egypt in the Super Cup. — AFP
Morocco World
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
How Much Will Berkane Earn After Winning Confederation Cup?
RS Berkane are expected to pocket a considerable sum of money after clinching their third CAF Confederation Cup title with a 3–1 aggregate victory over Tanzania's Simba SC. A 1–1 draw in Sunday's second leg in Zanzibar was enough for Berkane to secure the crown, having already built a two-goal advantage in the first leg. According to CAF, Berkane will receive $2 million in prize money. Simba, who opened the scoring through Joshua Mutale, will earn $1 million as runners-up. CAF pays tribute to Berkane The Confederation of African Football (CAF) praised Berkane's growing reputation on the continent following the victory. 'Five finals in six years. Three titles – 2020, 2022, and 2025,' CAF said in a statement. 'RS Berkane are firmly establishing themselves in the African football landscape.' The club has already secured the Moroccan Botola Pro league title this season and could complete a quadruple if they win the Cup of the Throne and the African Super Cup. Simba's early goal not enough Simba made a bright start in front of a home crowd in Zanzibar, taking the lead after 17 minutes. However, their momentum was disrupted early in the second half when Yusuf Kagoma was sent off following a second yellow card. Berkane continued to sit deep and hit Simba on the counter-attack. Simba's Steven Mukwala managed to put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Super Cup awaits The victory confirms Berkane as one of Africa's most consistent clubs in recent years, with three Confederation Cup titles in five seasons and five final appearances since 2019. They will now prepare for the CAF Super Cup, where they will face the winner of the CAF Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns, who drew 1–1 in the first leg. Tags: CAFConfederation CupRS BerkaneSimba Tanzania
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
RS Berkane win Confed Cup as Fadlu Davids' Simba fall just short
Morocco's Renaissance Berkane won the Caf Confederation Cup on Sunday, holding on for a 1-1 draw against 10-man Simba of Tanzania away in the second leg of the final for a 3-1 aggregate victory. A two-goal advantage from last week's home first leg provided the foundation for a third success in the Confederation Cup in the last six years for the club from the northeast of Morocco. But they endured a difficult afternoon at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar as Simba, coached by South African Fadlu Davids, went ahead in the 15th minute through Joshua Mutale and then missed a gilt-edged chance in front of goal minutes later. Simba had midfielder Yusuph Kagoma sent off five minutes into the second half for a second cautionable offence and two more members of their technical staff were sent to the stands in a tempestuous encounter. Faouzi Lekjaa must be a Proud man the former RS Berkane President 2009 -2019 when he relinquished his role to Hakim Ben Abdellah after a decade-long tenure as President. Under the RFMF President RS Berkane grew in status both on and off the pitch. RS Berkane regained its spot… — Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) May 25, 2025 Despite the one-man disadvantage, Simba had the ball in the Berkane net again in the 73rd minute after Steven Mukwala glanced home Jean Charles Aboua's free kick but the goal was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check. Berkane then made sure of success when substitute Soumaila Sidibe snatched an equaliser from a tight angle at the start of nine minutes of stoppage time. It crowned a dream season for Berkane, who won a first Moroccan league title earlier in the season. Their third Confederation Cup success equals the record for the most successes in the competition, held by Tunisia's CS Sfaxien.
