While Raja Casablanca begins to turn around after a difficult start to the African Champions League (LDC), the Casablanca club plays its last card during the sixth and final day of the group stage.
The Greens will host AS Maniema in a decisive match, while AS FAR, already qualified for the quarter-finals, will try to secure first place in the group by facing Mamelodi Sundowns on the road.
As part of the CAF Cup, Renaissance Berkane, already qualified as leader of its group, will have a quiet weekend.
Raja, currently third with 5 points, is three lengths behind Mamelodi Sundowns (8 points). The Casablancais must beat AS Maniema at home, while hoping that AS FAR wins against the South Africans to dream of qualifying for the quarter-finals. However, even in this favorable scenario, Raja will have to overcome an unfavorable goal difference: -2 against +1 for Mamelodi Sundowns.
According to CAF regulations, in the event of a tie on points between two teams, the ranking will be determined by, the points obtained during direct confrontations, the goal difference during these confrontations, the number of goals scored away in these matches, the overall goal difference, the total number of goals scored in the group stage and a possible draw.
-With a victory each with a score of 1-0 in their direct confrontations, Raja and Mamelodi Sundowns will be decided by the general goal difference.
Group B proved to be very tight, averaging just 1.7 goals per game and the score difference rarely being greater than two goals. Faced with AS Maniema, bottom of the group (3 points), the Greens must remain vigilant. Although the Congolese showed limits in crucial moments, their resilience remains a potential danger.
For its part, AS FAR, in the lead with 9 points, will have to play cautiously against a formidable South African team at home. A victory or a draw would be enough for the Military to secure first place, synonymous with a theoretically more affordable quarter-final.
In the CAF Cup, Renaissance Berkane, undisputed leader of its group with 13 points, faces Stellenbosch FC (9 points) on Sunday evening. This match, without major stakes, could offer a pleasant spectacle, even if both teams are already qualified for the next round. The Berkanis could, however, slow down ahead of their key confrontation against AS FAR in the national championship next Thursday.
