Raja – Kabylie: Rahimi, Malango Help Raja To Confed. Cup In 9 Minutes

Of all the football that has been played this term, it took just two goals in double – quick succession to win Raja Athletic Club their second ever CAF Confederation Cup, since 2018.

Firebrand winger Soufiane Rahimi scored at the 5th minute of the game, and then, turned provider for Ben Malango at the 14 minute, as the game seemed to be won and lost between that short interval of 9 minutes.

Prior to the game at Stade de L’amitie, Raja Casablanca of Morocco and JS Kabylie of Algeria had impressive CAF Confederation Cup unbeaten records that they took to the final in Benin’s economic capital of Cotonou on Saturday.

Neither team had lost since the play-offs last February in the African secondary club competition.

Raja went 10 matches since an away defeat, at US Monastir of Tunisia in a tie they won via a penalty shootout.
Kabylie had an even better record, going 11 matches unbeaten after losing at former title-holders Stade Malien of Mali in a tie settled by the away goals rule.

Getting into the game proper, coach Lassaad Chabbi’s Raja – opted for a quick start that payed off.

Soufiane Rahimi put Raja ahead after five minutes at the end of a sweeping move and then Congolese Ben Malango was offered time and space to turn and hit with his weaker left foot inside the penalty area for a second goal after 14 minutes.

JS Kabylie however pulled one back with the first attack of the second half of the final, as Mohamed Zakaria Boulahia finished smartly at the end of a protracted goalmouth scramble.

The Algerians received a boost when Raja had Omar Arjoune sent off after connecting with an opponent’s face, adjudged to be dangerous play by
Victor Gomes of South Africa. He, at first sight ne handed Arjoune a yellow card but after being told to review the decision on the pitchside VAR screen, it was changed to a red.

Raja, who previously won African club football’s secondary competition in 2018, held out to spark boisterous celebration on the final whistle.