

AS FAR Rabat and Maghreb Fez played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in an International Club Friendly on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Four goals, a handful of momentum swings and a late equaliser made for a useful workout for both Moroccan sides, who used the fixture to sharpen their rhythm and give minutes to a broad range of players.
Match overview
As a friendly, the game carried no league points, but the level of intensity was far from casual. Two of Morocco's established clubs met with something to prove: AS FAR Rabat, the army club and a perennial force in the Botola, against Maghreb Fez, one of the country's traditional names with a proud cup history and a passionate following in the north.
AS FAR typically control games through possession and structured build-up, and that pattern held in the opening period. Maghreb Fez, dangerous on the counter and physically strong in duels, responded by sitting in a compact block and attacking quickly through the wide channels. The result was an open, end-to-end contest that produced two goals for each side.
Key moments
- Opening goal: AS FAR took the initiative early, converting a well-worked attacking move that underlined their quality in the final third.
- Fez respond: Maghreb Fez answered with a goal of their own, punishing a loose moment in the home side's build-up with a direct, fast break.
- Second-half surge: After a raft of substitutions on both sides, the tempo dipped briefly before the visitors edged in front with a well-taken finish.
- Late equaliser: AS FAR pushed bodies forward in the closing stages and found the leveller, salvaging a draw and capping a lively night of football.
Tactical story
Friendlies are often judged less on the scoreline than on the shape and ideas on display, and both coaches had plenty to examine. AS FAR's build-up play was patient and progressive, with the full-backs pushing high to create overloads and the midfield rotating to open passing lanes. Their vulnerability came in transition, where the space left behind the advanced full-backs was exploited more than once.
Maghreb Fez looked well organised out of possession and purposeful when they won the ball back, favouring quick vertical passes over long sequences. Their two goals came from exactly that approach, and their resilience in responding to setbacks suggests a squad with a healthy competitive edge.
Standout performers
For AS FAR Rabat, the most encouraging aspect was the link-up play between the midfield and the forward line, which created a steady stream of chances and produced the late goal that levelled the match. Maghreb Fez's wide players were a constant threat, combining pace with intelligent movement, while their goalkeeper made several sharp stops to keep the visitors level in the second half.
Season context
Both clubs sit comfortably inside Morocco's footballing elite. AS FAR Rabat are multiple-time Botola champions and regular participants in continental competition, while Maghreb Fez bring a rich cup tradition and one of the most supported fanbases outside Casablanca and Rabat. Fixtures between them are always treated as a meeting of heavyweights, even when the result carries no points.
For a friendly, the outcome is secondary, but a 2-2 draw offers both coaches a clear picture of what needs sharpening: defensive transitions for AS FAR, consistency over 90 minutes for Maghreb Fez. With domestic and continental commitments ahead, the match served its purpose as a competitive tune-up in front of a committed crowd.
What's next
AS FAR Rabat will return to their league and continental schedule looking to tighten up defensively while preserving the attacking fluency they showed here. Maghreb Fez will take confidence from scoring twice away from home and will aim to convert that counter-attacking threat into points in their next competitive fixtures.