Chabab Atlas Khenifra win six-goal thriller against Olympique de Safi

Chabab Atlas Khenifra delivered one of the most entertaining attacking displays of the Morocco Botola 2 round, beating Olympique de Safi 4-2 on Saturday night. The home side scored at key moments, survived a brief Safi revival, and finished the contest with a two-goal cushion that reflected their greater sharpness in the final third.

The win is a significant one in the Botola 2 standings and underlines Khenifra’s ability to turn home advantage into points. Olympique de Safi contributed to a lively contest and scored twice, but defensive lapses and an inability to contain Khenifra’s midfield runners proved decisive.

Match overview

Chabab Atlas Khenifra started brightly and took the lead in the ninth minute when Yassine Boukhari found space inside the penalty area and finished with authority. The home side doubled their advantage in the 24th minute through Rachid El Amrani, whose well-timed run was rewarded with a composed finish. Olympique de Safi responded before half-time, pulling one back in the 35th minute through Karim Sabri after a period of pressure.

Khenifra restored their two-goal cushion early in the second half when Boukhari grabbed his second of the night in the 51st minute. Safi refused to fade and made it 3-2 in the 69th minute through Anas Bourkadi, setting up a tense final 20 minutes. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Hamza Ait Lahcen scored Khenifra’s fourth, ending Safi’s hopes of a comeback.

Key moments

• 9th minute: Yassine Boukhari gives Chabab Atlas Khenifra an early lead.
• 24th minute: Rachid El Amrani doubles the advantage with a fine team goal.
• 35th minute: Karim Sabri pulls one back for Olympique de Safi.
• 51st minute: Boukhari scores his second to make it 3-1.
• 69th minute: Anas Bourkadi gives Safi hope at 3-2.
• 78th minute: Hamza Ait Lahcen seals the 4-2 win for Khenifra.

Tactical story

Khenifra’s win was built on aggressive midfield pressing and quick vertical passing. They repeatedly caught Safi’s back line trying to step up, and the movement of Boukhari between the lines caused problems throughout. The home side also dominated the second ball, which allowed them to sustain attacks and keep Safi under pressure for long spells.

Safi’s best moments came when they widened the pitch and delivered early crosses into the box. Their two goals were well deserved, but they struggled to maintain control after scoring. Each time they threatened to build momentum, Khenifra found a response, and that ability to answer immediately was the difference in a high-scoring Botola 2 encounter.

Standout players

Yassine Boukhari was the standout performer with two goals and constant movement that unsettled the Safi defence. Rachid El Amrani controlled the tempo in midfield and capped his display with a goal, while Hamza Ait Lahcen’s late strike showed Khenifra’s depth in attack. For Olympique de Safi, Karim Sabri and Anas Bourkadi were the brightest performers, but their efforts were not enough to secure a result.

Season impact

The three points strengthen Chabab Atlas Khenifra’s position in the Morocco Botola 2 table and give them a strong platform for the next round of fixtures. A 4-2 home win also sends a clear message about their attacking potential. Olympique de Safi, meanwhile, will view this as a missed opportunity: they scored twice away from home but conceded four, leaving them with defensive work to do.