CAFCC Preview: RS Berkane (MAR) vs CS Constantine (ALG)
- Andrew Olsson
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
There is always something extra at stake when Moroccan and Algerian clubs face off in CAF club competition and the intensity will be high when newly crowned Moroccan champions RS Berkane face scrappy CS Constantine in the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup. While the other semifinal duels from the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup appear to be evenly matched, Berkane are clear favorites but don't count out CSC who are very capable.
Leg 1: April 20 in Berkane, Morocco (20:00 GMT)
Leg 2: April 27 in Constantine, Algeria (17:00 GMT)
RS Berkane (MAR)
In recent years, RSB established itself as the third club in Moroco behind Casablanca giants Raja CA and Wydad AC but the Orange Boys made a loud statement this season by winning Morocco's Botola Pro with months to spare in the campaign. In fact, before a heavily rotated team lost to Hassania Agadir last Sunday, RSB had not lost a match since the beginning of October in the fifth round of the league.
RSB have made the Confederation Cup their specialty, finishing as runners-up or champions in three of the last five editions. This season they are now the heavy favorites to capture the trophy and it very well could be argued that RSB are the most consistent and reliable team in African club football.
Head Coach: Moine Chaabani
A master tactician who is establishing himself as a firm candidate for CAF Coach of the Year, Chaabani has built a team that does not necessarily overwhelm their opponents but always finds a way to win. The Tunisian was a physically imposing defender in his playing days and that footprint can be seen in this Berkane team.
The Orange Boys have by far the best defense in Morocco's top flight Botola Pro and have only allowed one goal between the group stage and the quarterfinals of the Confederation Cup (8 matches). Chaabani's emphasis on a strong defense as well as proficiency in the small details like set pieces allows RSB to somehow always come out on top in close matches.
A physically imposing and tactically secure defense is RS Berkane's trademark and the RSB defense is even better this season. Spanish-born Morocco national team goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi decided to join Berkane ahead of the season and is showing his class and experience. In front of him is the fierce central duo of captain and Burkina Faso national team player Issoufou Dayo and Adil Tahif.
In addition to his defending, Dayo is among the top scorers of the club with eleven goals due to his status as the preferred penalty taker. In front of the central defensive duo is 22-year-old central midfielder Mamadou Camara, who was a key member of Senegal's team that won the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
In front of Camara is a group of attackers who all contribute their fair share of goal contributions to complete a hard working and competent unit. Yassine Labhiri is a central midfield presence who puts in the hard work and the leading scorer is Oussama Lamlioui, a player who arrives at the right moment to score the goal that makes the difference.
CS Constantine (ALG)
A club that enjoys fierce support and a status as outsiders in the Algiers-dominated football scene of Algeria, the popular club known as "The Dean" is at the farthest stage it has ever reached in CAF club competition. A surprise upset of Algiers giants USM Alger via penalty kicks in the quarterfinals was the best possible reward for the large group of fans who made the trip to the Algerian capital.
CSC's form in Algeria's Ligue 1 has frankly been quite poor but we see all the time how it can be a different story in continental competition. Even if the team has slipped to a midtable position and possibly on the brink of a relegation battle in their domestic campaign, this team has nothing to lose on a big stage of African football.
Head Coach: Kheïreddine Madoui
Madoui, a former CAF Coach of the Year in 2014 when he won the CAF Champions League with ES Sétif, is more than happy to pursue continental glory in the midst of a disappointing season. CSC got off to a great start, leading Algeria's Ligue 1 in the early stages until 2025 arrived. Outside of a surprise victory at CR Belouizdad at the end of January, CSC have failed to win their other six matches played in 2025.
The poor league results have led to many rumors of discontent between Madaoui and the management of the club. However, those issues seem to all go away in the Confederation Cup and Madoui has inspired his players to a stage that many have not experienced.
CSC are not a flashy team, relying on a consistent defense and the playmaking magic of attacking midfielder and captain Brahim Dib. Fullback Aimen Bougherra, formerly of CR Belouizdad, and left back Houari Baouche are both capable of making forward runs and adding to an unspectacular attack. Goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya has an adequate central partnership ahead of him in Achref Boudrama and Laïd Bellaouel.
While Brahim Dib will get all the attention for his vision and ability to create and finish goals, he does have capable support. Central midfielder Mohamed Benchaira has been at this stage before, reaching the final of the 2020-21 Confederation Cup with JS Kabylie.
Similar to RS Berkane, the attacking unit does not feature a star outside of Dib but some capable goal scorers. 23-year-old CSC youth product and attacker Mounder Temine was particularly impressive against USM Alger. Abdennour Belhocini and Fethallah Tahar have had past success while forward Zakaria Benchaa, who has yet to score in league play this season, is the club's leading scorer in the Confederation Cup with six goals.