Moroccan Derby on Africa's Stage: AS FAR Rabat vs RS Berkane Vie for CAF CL Final Tickets
1 April 2026
Match Overview
The Confederation of African Football has announced the refereeing crew for the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg between AS FAR Rabat and RS Berkane, two Moroccan rivals, to be staged in Rabat.
The clash marks a battle between Morocco’s two continental hopefuls, scheduled for this Saturday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with a view to reach the final.
AS FAR Rabat reached this stage after eliminating Egyptian champions Pyramids, while RS Berkane navigated past Sudan’s Al Hilal to book their semi-final spot.
Officials and VAR
The main referee for this high-stakes game is Mauritanian Dahan Bida, flanked by Angolan Jerson Emiliano dos Santos as the first assistant and Cameroonian Elvis Gi Njobui as the second assistant. Mauritanian Abd Aziz Bouh has been appointed as the fourth official. The VAR room will be overseen by Tunisian Heitham Qirat, with Ghanaian Daniel Ni Ayi Larai assisting.
Why This Matters
Both Moroccan teams chase a place in Africa’s final, bringing a domestic flavor to a continental duel. Expect a disciplined, physical duel with flashes of creativity as coaches seek to tilt the balance in the away or home leg.
Related reads cover strategy, star players, and the broader context of African club football, offering deeper context for fans tuning in.
Post-match reactions and analysis will dissect every whistle and decision, as usual in a competition that loves drama as much as goals.
Final Notes
As the ball rolls in Rabat, pride, nerves, and ambition collide in a derby that could shape the path to the final.
Punchline 1: If the whistle blows twice, perhaps the crowd is just signaling you to order a snack—halftime is near anyway. Punchline 2: In football, the only thing more chaotic than a knockout tie is the post-match analysis that acts like it solved the world’s problems in 280 characters.
