Raja Casablanca Score Late to Down El-Kanemi Warriors and Reach CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Raja Club Athletic left it late to secure a dramatic 2-0 victory over Nigeria’s El-Kanemi Warriors on Friday, October 23, booking their place in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage. The Moroccan giants scored twice in the closing stages at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca to seal a 4-2 aggregate triumph after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Nigeria.

Raja entered the return fixture knowing that a goalless draw would be enough to guarantee qualification following their two away goals in the opening encounter. However, El-Kanemi Warriors made life difficult for the hosts, defending resolutely and frustrating their attempts to find an early breakthrough. As the minutes passed, the possibility of a tense finish grew, with the Nigerian side keeping their qualification hopes alive.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 88th minute when Aymen Barkok stepped up to deliver a superb free-kick that beat the El-Kanemi defence and sent the home supporters into celebration. The late goal relieved the pressure on Raja and put them firmly in control of the contest after a difficult evening against their determined opponents.

Raja were not finished, though, as Portuguese defender Marian Huja struck deep into stoppage time to double their lead and put the result beyond doubt. The second goal completed a commanding finish from the Casablanca outfit, who ultimately progressed with a 4-2 aggregate victory after El-Kanemi had threatened to take the tie down to the wire.

Raja score two late goals to win it in Casa

The qualification keeps Raja’s continental ambitions alive as the two-time CAF Confederation Cup winners pursue a third title. For El-Kanemi Warriors, the defeat brings a painful end to their campaign after an encouraging first-leg performance had given them hope of reaching the group stage. Raja, meanwhile, can now turn their attention to the next phase of the competition after demonstrating their ability to find decisive goals when it mattered most.