Raja CA are preparing for one of their most important matches of the season under mounting pressure after losing two influential players ahead of their meeting with RS Berkane in the Moroccan Professional Championship.
The Casablanca club will host Berkane at the Mohammed V Sports Complex next Wednesday in a highly anticipated encounter in the 22nd round of the league campaign, with both sides aiming to strengthen their positions in the title race.
However, Raja enter the summit clash facing significant technical and tactical concerns following the confirmed absences of goalkeeper Mehdi El Harrar and Jordanian forward Mohammed Abu Zureiq Sharara.
The two players are unavailable because of international commitments linked to preparations for the 2026 World Cup, leaving the club’s coaching staff searching for alternatives ahead of a decisive stage in the season.
El Harrar’s absence is regarded as a major setback for Raja, with the goalkeeper considered one of the team’s most reliable performers. His role in organising the defence and maintaining stability at the back has been central to the club’s performances during the current campaign.
The goalkeeper has joined the Moroccan national team training camp as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup finals. His inclusion in the camp came despite not being named in the final squad announced by Morocco coach Mohamed Wahbi.
The situation has prompted discussion surrounding coordination between clubs and national teams, particularly during a critical phase of the domestic season.
Raja are also set to miss Sharara, who has become one of the team’s most important attacking players. The Jordanian international is viewed as a key creative force in the side and an important figure in one-on-one situations in the final third.
Sharara has joined the Jordanian national team camp as part of preparations for the World Cup finals, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
His absence leaves Raja without one of their main offensive threats in a fixture expected to demand both precision and attacking quality.
Supporters of the Casablanca side are now looking towards the squad’s reserve players to step into the spotlight and maintain the club’s challenge for the league title.
Fans remain hopeful that the team’s fighting spirit and collective approach can compensate for the absence of two influential figures, particularly in a match expected to be played under intense competitive pressure.
The encounter is also being viewed as a significant test of the squad depth available to coach David Vadlo, who must find solutions capable of preserving balance in both defence and attack.
With the title race entering a decisive period, the ability of Raja’s replacement players to perform under pressure may prove crucial in determining the club’s ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
The challenge against Berkane is expected to require tactical discipline, mental composure and physical intensity, as Raja attempt to overcome their selection difficulties and continue their pursuit of the Professional Championship crown.
