Raja Casablanca claimed a crucial 2-1 victory over FAR Rabat in their postponed Moroccan league derby, with Adam Nafati scoring the decisive goal to give interim coach Abdelkrim El Jinani his side’s second league win of the season.
The Green Eagles took advantage of their opportunities at the Stade to secure all three points after an entertaining encounter in which both teams found the net during the first half.
Raja made an excellent start, taking the lead just two minutes after kick-off and immediately putting their opponents under pressure.
However, FAR Rabat responded positively and managed to restore parity in the 27th minute, bringing the contest back on level terms and increasing the intensity between the two Moroccan rivals.
With the first half approaching its conclusion, Raja regained the advantage through Nafati, who found the net seven minutes before the interval to put his team ahead for the second time.
His goal proved decisive, as the hosts managed to protect their advantage throughout the second half despite sustained efforts from the Royal Army to find another equaliser.
Raja show defensive discipline to hold off FAR Rabat
After the restart, Raja focused on maintaining their advantage by strengthening their defensive organisation and limiting the attacking opportunities available to their opponents.
The Green Eagles adopted a more cautious approach, concentrating on protecting the spaces around their penalty area while looking for opportunities to threaten through quick counter-attacks.
Their strategy made it difficult for FAR Rabat to find a way through, particularly as Raja remained organised whenever their opponents attempted to increase the pressure.
FAR Rabat, meanwhile, pushed forward in search of a second equaliser, with the players supporting goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti attempting to turn the game around.
The Royal Army increased their attacking efforts as the second half progressed, hoping to take advantage of any defensive weaknesses in the Raja backline.
However, their attempts lacked the necessary precision in the final third. Rushed decisions in front of goal and an inability to convert their opportunities prevented them from finding the breakthrough they needed.
Raja’s defenders remained composed during the closing stages, dealing with the pressure and preventing their opponents from creating a clear route back into the contest.
Their organisation and determination ultimately proved sufficient, as the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for the Green Eagles.
Raja move ahead of FAR Rabat in Moroccan league standings
The result represents an important boost for Raja Casablanca, who have been looking to improve their position in the league under interim coach El Jinani.
The victory was their second of the current campaign and lifted their points tally to nine, allowing them to move into sixth place in the Moroccan league standings.
For El Jinani, the three points provide a positive outcome as he continues to lead the team during the current coaching transition.
FAR Rabat, on the other hand, were left disappointed after failing to take advantage of their opportunities to secure at least a point from the derby.
The defeat leaves the Royal Army with eight points from their matches so far, placing them eighth in the standings.
However, they still have a postponed fixture to play, giving them an opportunity to improve their position once they complete their outstanding match.
For Raja, the victory offers renewed encouragement as they seek greater consistency in the Moroccan league, while their success against one of their major domestic rivals provides an additional boost to their campaign.
