Rashad Bernoussi, FAR Rabat qualify for Moroccan Throne Cup final

2007-11-07

FAR Rabat defeated Wydad Casablanca on penalty kicks to qualify for the Throne Cup finals, where they will play surprise finalists Rashad Bernoussi, who qualified for the first time in team history with a win over Kawkab Marrakech.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 05/11/07

[Getty Images] Baddou Zaki (right), was dismissed as Kawkab Marrakech coach following the team's loss to Rashad Bernoussi

FAR Rabat and Wydad Casablanca failed to perform to fan expectations in their Moroccan Throne Cup semi-final match on Saturday (November 3rd). The match was extensively covered by local press due to the strength of the two teams, considered two of the best at local and African levels.

FAR Rabat's Abderrahman Lamssassi scored the first goal for his team in the 2nd minute of the match, with a very strong shot from 40 meters. Wydad Casablanca tried desperately to equalise, through extensive scoring attempts and sudden attacks, but failed to earn a goal until the second minute of injury time when Faouzi El Brazi took advantage of a mistake by Rabat goalkeeper Tarek Jarmouni. The two extra times ended in a tie, and saw FAR Rabat's Noureddine kacemi ejected for using his elbow to hit Wydad's Mustapha Bidoudane in the face.

The teams moved on to penalty kicks with ten players on each team, after Wydad captain Mohamed Madih was sent off the pitch in the 83rd minute. Rabat's goalkeeper managed to save the first penalty kick by Hicham Louissi and the FAR players scored on their kicks, winning the match 4-3.

The win qualifies FAR Rabat for the Throne Cup final for the 13th time. They have won the Cup eight times, and are eager for a ninth, to tie with Wydad Casablanca.

After the match, FAR coach Mustapha Madih said, "Wydad Casablanca is a big team, but the penalty kicks are a matter of luck." Concerning the final match, he added, "We respect Rashad Bernoussi. They are a young and ambitious team, and we will have to be well prepared in order to win the Cup for our fans."

Wydad earned its spot in the semi-finals on October 20th, with a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Raja Casablanca. The two goals were scored with two headers by Mustapha Bidoudane late in the second half of the match, which ended in riots that led to one death and scores of injuries.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation responded by barring unaccompanied minors from entering stadiums and banning anyone involved in riots from entering a stadium for two years.

FAR Rabat's qualifier on September 9th ended in a 5-3 victory on penalty kicks over Mouloudia Oujda.

Second-division team Rashad Bernoussi surprised football fans with an unprecedented win over Kawkab Marrakech on Saturday, the biggest achievement in team history.

Mohcine Hidagua scored the opening goal in the 26th minute, and Kawkab equalised through Youssef Meryana in the 48th minute. Hidaka came back to score a second goal in the 65th minute and third in the 90th minute.

After the match, Kawkab Coach Baddou Zaki said, "My team made fatal mistakes, especially the goalkeeper. Any team that make such mistakes must be defeated. I consider the win by Rashad Bernoussi to be much deserved."

Zaki, who had worked for the team during the 2000-2001season and served as coach since July 2006, was dismissed by Kawkab management on Tuesday (November 6th), MAP reported. The team said the decision was amicable.

Rashad Bernoussi's qualifies them for the Throne Cup final for the first time. The match will be played against FAR Rabat on November 25th in Fez.