Raja Casablanca are the new CAF Confederation Cup champions after defeating JS Kabylie 2-1 in the final played at the Stade de L’Amitie General Mathieu Kerekou in Cotonou, Benin on Saturday night.
The Moroccans scored their goals through Soufiane Rahimi and Ben Malango in the first quarter of the hour, with Kabylie finding the back of the net minutes into the second half courtesy of Mohamed Zakaria Boulahia strike.
Raja settled the quicker of the two teams, but it was Kabylie who created the first clear chance, with Malik Raiah sending Ahmed Karoum through on goal on the right of the penalty area, but the winger scuffed his shot wide of the far post in the second minute.
The Green Eagles dominated thereafter and broke the deadlock in the fourth minute when Rahimi ran behind the defense to pick up a decent looped ball from Arjoune before rounding the keeper and tapping into an empty net.
Juba Oukaci came close to snatching the equalizer2 for Kabylie in the tenth minute with a free header inside the box that sailed slightly over the bar.
However, Raja got their second goal on the 14th minute with a wonderful left foot strike from Congolese international Ben Malango.
The Moroccans moved up a gear after extending their lead, playing with confidence and intelligence to force Kabylie onto the back foot, but they were unable to add to their advantage, leaving the score 2-0 in their favour at the break.
Kabylie opted for a change at the start of the second half as Rezki Hamroune replaced Malik Raiah in the attack.
The Algerians halved the deficit a minute after inside the second stanza when Boulahia shot low into the net after the Raja defence struggled to clear a cross from the right.
With the game opening up, Raja Casablanca were reduced to ten men when Omar Arjoune was given marching orders for a high boot with the decision being confirmed by the VAR.
Raja should’ve extended their lead on the 70th minute but Malango failed to direct his header on target while Mohamed Tabal could not profit from the rebound moments later.
As time flew by, Kabylie failed to grab an equalizer when on 78 minutes, Nezla flashed an inviting opportunity wide.
In added time, Kabylie had another threat on goal but Bensayah’s free-kick proved no issue to Anas Zniti who collected comfortably and ultimately clinch the trophy.
