Rabat – Maghreb de Fez (MAS Fez) have secured their place in the CAF Champions League group stage after defeating Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas 2-1 away from home on Sunday, overcoming a series of reported difficulties before the match.
The Moroccan side sealed qualification with a 3-2 aggregate triumph following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Meknes, marking a successful return to Africa’s premier club competition after 14 years away.
Playing at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, MAS Fez faced a difficult encounter against the Ivorian club, with both teams entering the match determined to secure qualification.
The first half ended goalless before Christopher Ibayi opened the scoring for the Moroccan side in the 62nd minute.
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ASEC Mimosas responded through Kevin Bakare in the 73rd minute, restoring parity and setting up a tense conclusion.
However, Khalid Baba delivered the decisive moment deep into stoppage time, scoring the winning goal to send MAS Fez into the group stage.
MAS Fez overcome troubling pre-match conditions
The Moroccan club’s qualification came despite reports of several incidents that disrupted its preparations in Abidjan.
According to Moroccan media reports, ASEC Mimosas officials initially refused requests to cut and water the pitch, raising concerns about playing conditions ahead of the encounter.
The MAS Fez delegation also reportedly encountered difficulties obtaining tickets for Moroccan supporters wishing to attend the match.
More troublingly, players refused to enter their allocated dressing room because of an unbearable smell.
According to Radio Mars, the Moroccan team was forced to change into its playing kits and leave its belongings in the warm-up area after finding the dressing room unsuitable for use.
The incidents reportedly prompted complaints to the match delegate, raising serious questions about the treatment of visiting clubs and the standards expected in African competitions.
Such conditions are unacceptable for a continental competition of this importance and warrant scrutiny from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
MAS Fez return to Africa’s biggest club stage
Despite the reported obstacles, MAS Fez delivered the result they needed to continue their continental campaign.
The victory represents an important achievement for the Fez-based club, whose return to the Champions League follows a 14-year absence from the competition.
Having overcome Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC in the previous qualifying round, MAS Fez will now compete among the 16 teams in the group stage.
The qualification allows the Moroccan side to continue its African campaign against some of the continent’s leading clubs.
