Rabat – The Casablanca derby is back. Raja and Wydad face off next Friday in one of Morocco’s biggest Botola Pro fixtures. Kick-off is at 4 p.m. Moroccan time at the Arabi Zawali Stadium in Casablanca.
Both clubs are struggling this season, and the heat is on their managers. Raja’s José Sapinto and Wydad’s Rulani Mokwena are feeling the pressure after slow starts to the Botola Pro. A bad result here could spell trouble for either man.
For both teams, this is more than a football match — it’s a lifeline. A poor result could see one of these coaches shown the door.
Raja sit 11th in the table with 13 points, having managed just three wins all season. Worryingly for Sapinto, none of those came under his watch. The Green Eagles drew their last four games while failing to find the back of the net.
Wydad aren’t faring much better. They’re sixth with 15 points, but their inconsistent form is raising eyebrows at a club who splurged big money on the squad during summer transfers.
The derby is set to be played behind closed doors. Raja have called for the gates to be opened, arguing that the club needs the proceeds from ticket sales to boost their finances. As of now, though, the stands are expected to remain empty.
The derby headlines a busy day of football. FAR Rabat take on Union Touarga, while Olympic Safi host Chabab Mohammedia. Matchday 11 runs until Sunday, but all eyes will be on Casablanca as two footballing giants fight to salvage their seasons.
Both clubs are struggling this season, and the heat is on their managers. Raja’s José Sapinto and Wydad’s Rulani Mokwena are feeling the pressure after slow starts to the Botola Pro. A bad result here could spell trouble for either man.
For both teams, this is more than a football match — it’s a lifeline. A poor result could see one of these coaches shown the door.
Raja sit 11th in the table with 13 points, having managed just three wins all season. Worryingly for Sapinto, none of those came under his watch. The Green Eagles drew their last four games while failing to find the back of the net.
Wydad aren’t faring much better. They’re sixth with 15 points, but their inconsistent form is raising eyebrows at a club who splurged big money on the squad during summer transfers.
The derby is set to be played behind closed doors. Raja have called for the gates to be opened, arguing that the club needs the proceeds from ticket sales to boost their finances. As of now, though, the stands are expected to remain empty.
The derby headlines a busy day of football. FAR Rabat take on Union Touarga, while Olympic Safi host Chabab Mohammedia. Matchday 11 runs until Sunday, but all eyes will be on Casablanca as two footballing giants fight to salvage their seasons.
