RS Berkane beat Al Hilal to seal first-ever Champions League semi-final spot

RS Berkane reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history after a 1-0 victory over Al Hilal Omdurman in their quarter-final second leg.

The win, secured deep into stoppage time, saw the Moroccan side progress after a closely contested tie, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg.

Berkane will now face AS FAR Rabat in the semi-finals, ensuring an all-Moroccan clash and guaranteeing the country a representative in the final.

The second leg was a tense affair, with both teams aware that a single goal could decide the outcome. Playing at home, Al Hilal attempted to assert control, but Berkane remained disciplined and organised throughout, limiting clear opportunities.

For long periods, neither side was able to break the deadlock, with caution dominating proceedings as the tie remained finely balanced.

The turning point came in the second half when Berkane were awarded a penalty, offering them a clear opportunity to take control of the contest. Monir Chouiar stepped up, but his effort was saved, leaving the score unchanged and the tension inside the stadium heightened.

Despite the setback, Berkane continued to press forward, maintaining their composure as the match moved into its final stages.

Their persistence was rewarded in dramatic fashion in the 90+3 minute, when Chouiar made amends for his earlier miss by scoring the decisive goal to secure victory and send his side through.

The late strike proved to be the defining moment in a tightly fought encounter, sealing a historic milestone for the club.

This marks Berkane’s first appearance in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, highlighting their steady progress on the continental stage in recent years.

The result also reflects a strong showing for Moroccan football in the competition. Earlier, AS FAR confirmed their own place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Pyramids FC in Cairo.

With two Moroccan clubs now in the last four, attention will turn to their upcoming meeting, as both sides aim to take the next step towards continental success.

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Daraja Kapoor
Daraja Kapoor is a highly respected football journalist, editor and analyst, known for his compelling storytelling and sharp, data-driven insights into the game. He specialises in match analysis, features, emerging talent coverage and football trends across Africa.He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Cape Coast and has built a strong reputation in the media industry through his disciplined approach and deep understanding of football.Daraja received his journalistic training at leading news platform Ghanaguardian.com and has worked with some of the most prominent football websites in Ghana, including Footballmadeinghana.com and Ghanasoccernet.com. He also served as Sports Editor of Talysports.com, where he played a key role in shaping editorial direction and content strategy.He is currently the Managing Editor of African.Football, where he leads the platform’s editorial vision, overseeing content production, quality control and the delivery of authoritative African football coverage to a global audience.

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