RCA win 10th Morocco title

Excitement built up in Casablanca after the Green Eagles won another Botola cup.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui in Rabat and Mohamed Foily in Nouakchott for Magharebia – 23/05/11

For the tenth time in their history, Raja Casablanca claimed the Botola title. The victory came after the 29th day of championship play on Sunday (May 22nd). RCA defeated Olympique Khouribga 2-1 to consolidate their lead with a total of 57 points, ahead of rivals Wydad Casablanca with 51 points.

After the match, the club fans took to the streets in Casablanca to celebrate the win.
Olympique Khouribga remained in the 5th place with 45 points. Wydad Casablanca returned to the 2nd place after beating Chabab Kasba Tadla 3-0. With this win, WAC's points reached 51.

FUS Rabat are now in the 6th place with 38 points after drawing 1-1 against Kawkab Marrakech.
In their turn, FAR Rabat beat hosts Hassania Agadir to maintain their 7th place with 37 points. HUSA also maintained their 8th place with 35 points.
For their part, Moghreb Fes remained in the 3rd place with 50 points after drawing 2-2 against Olympic Safi, who hold the 4th place with 48 points.
JSKT will now be relegated to the second division after ending the season at the bottom of the rankings.
In the meantime, OS Meknes and Ittihad Khemisset were promoted to the premier league after leading their tables in the second division which drew to a close last week-end.
In Mauritania, FC Nouadhibou, ASC Ksar and Talhaya de Rosso will play in the national cup semi-finals. They will be joined by the winner of the upcoming ASAC Concorde-T .Zeina clash.
ASC Ksar played against the team of Kiffa, 600 kilometres from the capital. Following a tense match, the visitors won a penalty shoot-out, 5-3.
"This is a particularly sweet victory," ASC Ksar general manager Meine Ould Amar said. "We suffered because of the sandy pitch, which didn't allow our players to perform as they normally would. Fortunately, our players managed to gain the upper hand. Now we can fix our eyes firmly on the national cup, which is within our reach."
Meanwhile, FC Nouadhibou found themselves embroiled in an indecisive match against ASC Kedia. Goalie Aldiouma Diallo intercepted two kicks, securing a win for FC Nouadhibou.

"The players stood up to huge pressures, and I'm delighted, because we're still in the race to win the title," coach Moussa Ould Ghassoum told Magharebia.
ASC Kedia coach Sidi N'Diaye shared his disappointment, putting his team's elimination down to poor referee's decisions.
"There's no question we should have been given a penalty, but the referee didn't give it to us," he told Magharebia. "That's a pity, because it could have changed the result of the match. I'm gutted, but congratulations all the same to FC Nouadhibou; they're a good team."
In the third match, Talhaya de Rosso defeated FC Sahel from Nouakchott on penalty kicks after full time saw them tied at one goal each. Talhaya will be the only second division team playing in the semi-finals.