A warm wind from the Rif carries a legend written in orange and black.
They’ve done it again. In the electric heat of an African final, under the weight of a destiny too powerful to deny, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RS Berkane) have triumphed once more. A third CAF TotalEnergies Confederation Cup title now graces their growing legacy: 2019-2020, 2021-2022, and now 2024-2025. A continental treble, and a bold message: Moroccan football — especially that from the heartlands — is alive, fearless, and built to last.
And make no mistake: this is no accident.
One city, one pride
Berkane isn’t Casablanca or Rabat. It’s a modest agricultural city in eastern Morocco, more famous for its oranges than its floodlights. Yet over the past decade, this overlooked corner of the country has become a powerhouse in African football. A model of vision, stability, and smart planning. Above all, a club that knows exactly where it comes from.
Far from the glitter of football megaprojects, RS Berkane has built something lasting — with clear leadership, calculated recruitment, and an unwavering goal: win, and make history. Club president Fouzi Lekjaa, also a major figure in Moroccan football’s transformation, has ensured a foundation of professionalism. But trophies aren’t bought. They’re earned.
A campaign of conquerors
RS Berkane’s 2024-2025 Confederation Cup run reads like a modern epic. Steady in the group stages, unshakable in adversity. Then came the knockout rounds — where nerves, heart, and grit matter most.
Quarterfinals, semis… at every stage, a defensive wall, strategic brilliance, and most importantly, a team greater than the sum of its parts. In the final, they faced a continental heavyweight. It was tense. Tight. Fierce. But Berkane set the rhythm, soaked up the pressure, and struck when it counted.
This isn’t flashy football. It’s truthful football. The kind that wins trophies.
The weapons of war: RS Berkane’s squad
Let’s talk about the players. Captain Issoufou Dayo, once again a colossus at the back. Goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani, cool as ice, came up with clutch saves time and time again. And Bakr El Helali, the silent conductor in midfield, never stopped running or thinking.
On the wings, young Moroccan talent bared their teeth. Up front, efficiency trumped elegance — this Berkane side doesn’t seek to entertain. It seeks to win.
What’s next: Super Cup, Champions League ambitions
What now? The road ahead is even steeper — and brighter. By winning the Confederation Cup, RS Berkane have earned a place in the CAF Super Cup, where they’ll face the CAF Champions League winners. A new summit to conquer. Another line to etch in club history.
But they want more than Super Cups. RS Berkane no longer sees itself as just a Confederation Cup specialist. Their next mountain: the CAF Champions League — the realm of Africa’s footballing royalty. Egypt, South Africa, DR Congo… the giants know now: Berkane is not just coming. They’ve already arrived.
More than a club: a national blueprint
What RS Berkane represents goes far beyond the pitch. It’s a symbol of possibility for Moroccan football outside the big cities, a blueprint for provincial clubs, a victory for patience and vision over hype and noise.
With three Confederation Cups, a recent domestic league title, a growing fanbase, and stable management, RS Berkane is steadily becoming a continental institution. Not a one-off. A mainstay.
The cup belongs to Berkane. The respect is continental. And the story? It’s only just beginning.
- Tags:
- Football news
