AS FAR Rabat Stays Alive in African Champions League Race

When the stakes are highest, some teams find another gear. AS FAR Rabat did exactly that Saturday, grinding out a vital 1-0 home win against Algeria's JS Kabylie to keep their African Champions League hopes burning bright.

The match in Rabat wasn't pretty, but it was effective. Both teams played cautiously through a tense first half, feeling each other out and protecting what they had.

Everything changed after halftime when AS FAR turned up the intensity. They pressed higher, moved faster, and made life miserable for their Algerian opponents.

The breakthrough came in the 74th minute when Tó Carneiro delivered a pinpoint cross that found Hamza Khabba perfectly positioned to finish. One moment of quality was all it took to unlock the game.

From there, AS FAR's defense became a wall. They absorbed pressure, stayed organized, and protected their slender lead like their tournament life depended on it, because it did.

The Ripple Effect

The victory lifted AS FAR to five points in Group B, pulling them level with Tanzania's Young Africans in the race for the knockout stages. Only the top two teams advance, making every point precious with just two group matches remaining.

Captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat didn't sugarcoat the performance afterward. "We had to win today, it was a must," he admitted honestly, acknowledging the pressure his team felt throughout the match.

His candor reveals something powerful about sports at this level. Sometimes winning isn't about playing beautifully; it's about finding a way when everything's on the line.

The result keeps Morocco's flag flying in Africa's premier club competition while JS Kabylie, stuck at the bottom with two points, see their own dreams fading. For AS FAR, though, the path forward is clear: maintain this momentum and finish strong.

With group leaders Al Ahly of Egypt sitting comfortably on eight points, AS FAR knows they're chasing from behind, but they're very much in the hunt.

Two games remain for AS FAR to prove they belong among Africa's elite eight teams.