Renaissance de Berkane opened their CAF Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Star Sport Academy at the Stade Municipal de Berkane on Sunday, October 25, 2026. A second-half goal from Oussama Lamlioui proved enough to separate the sides in a tense, tactical contest that demanded patience from the Moroccan hosts and rewarded them with a crucial three points.

Match Overview

Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, commonly known as RS Berkane, entered the fixture as the more established continental outfit and quickly took control of possession. The Orange Boys pushed high up the pitch, circulated the ball through midfield, and looked to stretch Star Sport Academy with width from the full-backs. However, the visitors defended with discipline and compactness, denying Berkane space between the lines and forcing the hosts into hurried crosses during the opening half.

Star Sport Academy, organized and resilient, grew into the game as the first half wore on. Their low defensive block frustrated Berkane’s creative players, while their quick transitions on the counter carried a threat of their own. The first 45 minutes produced few clear-cut chances, but the pattern was set: Berkane with the ball, Star Sport Academy looking to strike on the break.

Key Moments

• 12th minute: Berkane’s first meaningful effort arrived from a corner, but the header was cleared off the line by a alert Star Sport Academy defender.
• 28th minute: The visitors produced a sharp counter-attack, forcing a low save from the Berkane goalkeeper at the near post.
• 63rd minute: The breakthrough came when Youssef Zghoudi worked space on the right and cut the ball back for Oussama Lamlioui, who swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
• 76th minute: Star Sport Academy’s goalkeeper produced the save of the match, tipping a curling effort over the crossbar.
• 88th minute: Berkane defended a late free-kick with composure to preserve their narrow advantage.

Tactical Story

Berkane’s approach was built on control and patience. The hosts dominated the ball and looked to create overloads on the flanks, with Zghoudi and the full-backs combining well in the second half. The introduction of fresh legs in midfield also helped Berkane increase the tempo after the break, and the goal came from exactly the kind of wide combination the coaching staff had been demanding.

Star Sport Academy’s game plan was clear and nearly effective. They defended narrow, blocked central lanes, and relied on rapid counter-attacks to relieve pressure. Their goalkeeper kept them in the contest with a series of saves, while the back four showed excellent discipline for long stretches. In the end, however, one moment of quality from Berkane decided the match, and the visitors could not find an equalizing response despite a late push.

Standout Players

Oussama Lamlioui will take the headlines for the decisive goal, but his overall movement and link-up play caused problems throughout. Youssef Zghoudi was equally influential, providing the assist and consistently finding space on the right. In defense, Issoufou Dayo marshaled the back line well and won several important aerial duels. For Star Sport Academy, the goalkeeper was the standout performer, making a string of saves that kept the scoreline respectable.

What It Means

The win gives Renaissance de Berkane an important early boost in the CAF Champions League standings and sets a positive tone for the matches ahead. For Star Sport Academy, the performance offered encouragement despite the defeat: they defended admirably and showed they can compete at this level. Berkane will now turn their attention to their next continental fixture, while the academy side will look to convert their defensive resilience into points in their upcoming matches.