The return of the CAF Champions League continues with the second semi-final 1st leg between Zamalek and Raja Casablanca in Morocco. Raja are coming off their triumph in the league season, winning the 2019-20 Botola in dramatic fashion. A squad personified by discipline and toughness, Raja will be a stingy opponent.
Zamalek have had a disappointing season, and will be laying it all on the line to potentially upstage rivals Al Ahly. The team appears to have stabilized and found some rhythm since hiring coach Jaime Pacheco, but will need to stay focused against the Moroccan champions. Here is Pan-Africa Football’s preview of the second semi-final:
Raja Casablanca
Center-back Badr Banoun has seen his star rise with Raja. He will be joining top Egyptian club Al Ahly after the tournament.
Path to the Semi-Finals
| Preliminary Round | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 August 2019 | Brikama United | 3-3 | Raja Casablanca |
| 24 August 2019 | Raja Casablanca | 4-0 | Brikama United |
| Aggregate Score | Raja Casablanca | 7-3 | Brikama United |
| First Round | |||
| 15 September 2019 | Al-Nasr | 1-3 | Raja Casablanca |
| 28 September 2019 | Raja Casablanca | 1-1 | Al-Nasr |
| Aggregate Score | Raja Casablanca | 4-2 | Al-Nasr |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Esp. de Tunis | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 11 | Qualifies for Final Tournament |
 Raja Casablanca | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 11 | Qualifies for Final Tournament |
 JS Kabylie | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 7 | |
 AS Vita Club | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 |