Despite the victory, Raja failed to be among the eight qualified for the quarter-finals. Hopes now rest on the AS FAR, the sole representative of the national colors.
It took a lot more than will to snatch the second qualifying ticket for the quarter-finals of the African Champions League. In addition to the combination of circumstances, the Raja who fell by the wayside needed above all determination and efficiency. By receiving AS Maniema Union on Sunday at the Larbi Zaouli stadium for the sixth and final day, Raja not only had to achieve victory with an acceptable margin, but also hope for an offering from AS FAR which was playing on the Mamelodi Sundowns field. The Military could only force the locals to a draw.
No great regrets to have since Raja did not fulfill the contract either since he was satisfied with the smallest of victories, insufficient to pass the milestone. The meeting was surprisingly marked by numerous missed opportunities, notably by Raja who erred by excess haste and lack of efficiency. At 11 against 10 after the expulsion of the Congolese Taboria Simete in the 40th minute of play, the Rajaouis owe their insufficient victory only to the penalty converted by Adam Ennafati just before the break.
In light of these data, the Military finished in first place (11) ahead of the South Africans who retained second position with 9 points. The unfortunate Raja settles for third place while Maniema finishes bottom.
This final day was also marked by other captivating results. Orlando Pirates stunned Al Ahly 2-1 in Cairo to clinch first place with 14 points. Gilberto’s late winning goal gave the South Africans a decisive victory. Al Ahly, despite losing, qualified as second in the group with 10 points. Meanwhile, CR Belouizdad demolished Stade d’Abidjan with a crushing 6-0 victory. An impressive success which however does not offer qualification to the Algerians who finish third with nine points. Stade d’Abidjan concluded its campaign in last place, having not achieved a single victory. If CR Belouizdad missed the boat, MC Alger managed to do well and obtained their place in the quarter-finals thanks to a 0-0 draw against Young Africans in Tanzania. The Chababists only needed one point to qualify and showed discipline to achieve it. They finished second with nine points. Author of an impressive campaign, Young Africans was only overtaken by a single point, and occupies third place with eight points. Still in the same group, TP Mazembe crushed Al Hilal 4-0 in a match without stakes in Kinshasa. Jean Diouf and Ibrahima Keita led the charge allowing the Congolese giant to end the campaign on a positive note. Al Hilal, who had already qualified since the fourth day, retains first place in the group with 10 points.
Finally, Esperance and Pyramids FC concluded their group stage campaign with resounding victories. Esperance made short work of Angola’s Sagrada Esperança by beating them 4-1, thanks to Achraf Jabri’s hat-trick. The Tunisians finished first with 13 points.
Pyramids FC also blew away Mali’s Djoliba 6-0 in Cairo in a day that saw 26 goals scored. With six different scorers, the Egyptians once again demonstrated their power, securing second place with 13 points. La Sagrada and Djoliba, unable to stand up to their opponents, were eliminated from the competition.
Morocco
