Exclusive: AS FAR’s Ajoughlal Bullish About CAF Champions League Hopes: 'We’re Not Afraid of Any Team'

AS FAR star Zakaria Ajoughlal has emphasised that his team has no reason to fear as they kick off their CAF Champions League group stage journey, aiming to secure a second African title.

Following a disappointing run in the 2023-24 campaign, where they were eliminated in the Second Round, the Moroccan top-flight side redeemed themselves with an impressive performance this season, overcoming Nigeria's Remo Stars and Sudanese heavyweights Al Merrikh in the opening two rounds.

To secure a spot in the quarter-finals, they now face the challenge of navigating Group B, which includes cross-city rivals and three-time African champions Raja Casablanca, 2016 winners Mamelodi Sundowns, and DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union.

Despite the strong pedigree of his club's opponents in the competition, the Morocco U23 star remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

“We are not afraid of any team; rather, our opponents should be scared of us because we are former champions. To be crowned the best, you must beat the best, and we are no strangers to tough competitions like his,” Ajoughlal told SportsBoom.com.

“Our experience in challenging games against tough oppositions means this will not be different. The CAF Champions League is a completely different level, and we are fully prepared to perform well in it. 

“We are confident that we will live up to expectations and make an impact in the competition.”

EVERY MATCH MATTERS FOR AS FAR        

Hubert Velud’s squad heads to the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, determined to kick off their campaign with a victorious start.

Even at their underwhelming league form, with just two wins in their last nine matches, Ajoughlal remains aware of the challenges ahead and assures that his team is ready to deliver and silence the doubters.

He added: "We are prepared for this competition, and our focus is to perform at our best. It's exciting to return to this stage after a long absence, and we are determined to prove the critics wrong,"

"Everyone understands that we’re in a challenging group with former champions, and every match is crucial. Our first priority is to secure all three points against our local rivals, Raja Casablanca. From there, we’ll adjust our strategy for the remaining games.

"Like every team here, our goal is to win the tournament, but our coaches have reminded us to enjoy the journey and not to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. 

"The squad is in excellent shape, and we are all committed to giving our best performance in every match."

AS MANIEMA UNION: A POTENTIAL THREAT

Ajoughlal is particularly wary of the relatively unknown AS Maniema Union, who secured runners-up finish behind TP Mazembe in last season's DR Congo top flight.

The Kindu-based club, making their debut in the prestigious competition, has already captured attention with their impressive performances.

“There are no small teams in Africa any longer, and every club in this group has an equal chance to progress, as reaching this stage is no small feat,” he stated.

“While Raja Casablanca and Mamelodi Sundowns are considered tough contenders due to their strong pedigree and past success, it’s important not to overlook AS Maniema Union. 

“Their journey to this point speaks volumes about their strength and resilience. The fact that they’ve made it this far suggests there’s something special about their squad, and they could surprise many, especially since little is known about them at the continental level.

“This group is set to be highly competitive, and for us to secure qualification, the focus must be on winning all our home matches. Away fixtures will be crucial too, and we must aim to pick up valuable points on the road. 

“It’s vital to stay focused, play to our strengths, and approach each match with the intensity needed to reach the next stage.

“Only with consistent performances at home and solid results away will we be in a strong position to progress to the knockout rounds.” 

After their clash with Raja Casablanca, AS FAR will host Mamelodi Sundowns on December 7. The group stage follows a home-and-away round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

The prize for winning the CAF Champions League has increased to USD 4,000,000, up from USD 2,500,000 in 2022.