Spaniard Martin coaches outsiders Fes to Moroccan glory

JOHANNESBURG: As Morocco prepare to tackle France in a World Cup quarter-final blockbuster on Thursday, pre-season outsiders Maghreb Fes have won a thrilling league title race in the African kingdom.
Coached by Spaniard Pablo Martin, the Yellow Tigers from the central city beat lowly Olympique Dcheira 2-0 in the final round to finish with 59 points from 30 matches.
It was a triumphant return to Africa for the 46-year-old Martin, who was sacked by South African outfit AmaZulu in 2024. He then coached Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia before joining Fes last year.
Midfielder Anas Tahiri broke the deadlock in Fes after 51 minutes and center-back Ayman Chabani added a second goal on 72 minutes.
Finishing first takes Fes into the CAF Champions League for the first time since 2012, when they were eliminated in the final qualifying round for the group phase.
Maghreb last won one of the most competitive African leagues in 1985. They triumphed by winning 16 matches, drawing 13, losing three, scoring 40 goals and conceding 17.
Renaissance Berkane, winners of the second-tier African competition the CAF Confederation Cup a record-equalling three times, finished runners-up thanks to a 3-1 win at Difaa El Jadidi.
Coming second brings Berkane back to the CAF Champions League, the elite African club competition. They reached the semifinals last season before losing to fellow Moroccans FAR Rabat.
FAR were held 0-0 at home by Renaissance Zemamra to finish fourth behind Raja Casablanca, who qualify for the Confederation Cup.
- North African dominance -
To compete in the 2026-27 African season, FAR must win the Throne Cup, the Moroccan equivalent of the English FA Cup.
Three-time African champions Wydad Casablanca are in a similar situation to FAR as a string of defeats late in the season left them fifth.
The Champions League draw is set for early August and nine winners of the competition will be among the clubs chasing a $6 million (5.25 mn euros) first prize.
North African clubs have dominated the competition, winning nine consecutive editions before the run ended when South African side Mamelodi Sundowns edged FAR 2-1 over two legs last season,
Zamalek and Pyramids of Egypt, Club Africain and Esperance of Tunisia and Mouloudia Alger of Algeria are former champions from the north eyeing glory.
Record 12-time Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt will be notable absentees. The Red Devils finished only third in the domestic league and must settle for a Confederation Cup slot.
Sundowns and Orlando Pirates of South Africa, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast are the other former African champions in the field.
A Nigerian club last won the competition in 2004 when Enyimba completed back-to-back triumphs. Enugu Rangers and Rivers United carry the hopes of the most populous African country this time.
Cameroon, once an African club football powerhouse, have not produced a champion since Canon Yaounde in 1980. Colombe pipped Dynamo Douala on goal difference to secure a place.

Spaniard Martin coaches outsiders Fes to Moroccan glory