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Rabat – The fight for places in next season’s Botola Pro reaches its decisive stage this week as Morocco’s promotion and relegation playoffs get underway. The first-leg matches will be played on July 17 and 18, with the return legs scheduled for July 21 and 22.
The playoffs feature two high-stakes ties. Amal Tiznit will face Olympique Dcheira, while Chabab Al Massira takes on Union Touarga. The winners over two legs will earn places in next season’s top division.
Amal Tiznit chasing historic promotion
Amal Tiznit enters the playoffs after finishing third in Botola 2 with 46 points. The club is aiming to secure its first-ever promotion to the Botola Pro after spending only one season in the second division following promotion from the amateur ranks.
A successful playoff campaign would mark another major achievement for the Souss-based club, which has enjoyed rapid progress in recent years.
Standing in its way is Olympique Dcheira, a team desperate to avoid an immediate return to the second division. Dcheira earned promotion through the playoffs last season but finished 14th in the Botola Pro with 30 points, forcing the club into another survival battle.
Chabab Al Massira targets long-awaited return
The second playoff features Chabab Al Massira, who finished fourth in the second division with 44 points. The club is hoping to return to Morocco’s top flight for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.
Once one of the country’s most competitive teams, Chabab Al Massira reached three consecutive Throne Cup semi-finals between 2003 and 2005 and recorded its best league finish by placing fifth during the 2001-2002 campaign.
Their opponents, Union Touarga, are fighting to remain in the top division after a difficult season. Just two years ago, the Rabat-based side qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup after finishing fourth in the league. This season, however, the club narrowly avoided direct relegation by securing 13th place on the final day.
With promotion to the Botola Pro at stake for Amal Tiznit and Chabab Al Massira, and top-flight survival on the line for Olympique Dcheira and Union Touarga, the playoffs promise four intense matches that could reshape the makeup of Morocco’s first division next season.
