The upcoming CAF Confederation Cup final first leg is set to be a heated contest not just on the field but off it as well, with Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane hosting Egyptian giants Zamalek amidst a swirl of controversy.
The prelude to this clash has been marked by a contentious issue involving the depiction of Western Sahara on Berkane’s shirts, which led to Algerian side USMA forfeiting their semi-final matches.
The political sensitivity of the map, which includes a region contested by Morocco and Algeria, prompted USMA to seek intervention from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the walkovers and delay the final.
Zamalek has also raised concerns, requesting a change in the VAR officials due to perceived partiality, given that Berkane’s coach is Tunisian.
The shirt dispute traces back to April 21, when Algerian customs seized Berkane’s kit, igniting a diplomatic spat that has historical roots dating back to 1975 over the control of Western Sahara. The disagreement escalated to the point of Algeria severing diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021.
Despite the off-field drama, the focus remains on the pitch where Berkane, a two-time Confederation Cup winner, boasts an impressive home record.
They will, however, miss the services of their captain Mahmoud ‘Shikabala’ Abdelrazek due to injury. Zamalek, known as the White Knights, have a commendable record in Morocco and will look to leverage their experience in the upcoming match.
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will test not only the teams’ skills but also their ability to navigate the complexities of football politics. The first leg promises to be a spectacle, with both teams eager to gain an advantage before the return match in Cairo on May 19.
By AFP.
