Why RS Berkane and USM Alger CAF Confederation Cup Semi Final Clash Was Cancelled

• RS Berkane reach the CAF Confederation Cup final without kicking a ball
• The Moroccans will face Zamalek in the final of this season's competition
• USM Alger refused to play the game against Berkane due to a dispute

The semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup between RS Berkane and USM Alger could not be played over reports of political tension between Morocco and Algeria.

Both legs of the prestigious competition could not be honoured due to a territorial dispute over which country controls the Western Sahara.

While the two-legged game was not played, Moroccan side RS Berkane progressed to the final after CAF rewarded the team with three goals and three points.

The first leg, which was supposed to be played in Algiers, saw the jerseys of Berkane confiscated by Algerian customs officers after the map of Morocco with the disputed territory was spotted on it.

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Berkane spent hours at the airport before they later returned to Morocco due to the absence of their jerseys.

Meanwhile, USM Alger travelled to Rabat for the second leg but refused to come out of their dressing room for the game on Sunday, leading to the cancellation of the match.

The geopolitical tension between Morocco and Algeria

The two North African countries have been in a long-standing disagreement over the Western Saharan area.

The Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is predominantly under Moroccan control but is claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which advocates for the territory's independence, according to Ahram Online.

Explaining why Berkane were not allowed to play in their jersey when they arrived in Algiers, the Algerian Football Federation boss, Walid Sadi said the rules have to be respected.

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“Algeria's response is strict, and we refuse to let RS Berkane play in this jersey. Our position is clear, and we will not back down, and we are ready for anything," he said per 13 Football.

Berkane beat Pirates to win CAF CC

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Moroccan side RS Berkane defeated Orlando Pirates to win the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023.

Following a 1-1 draw in full-time, the game had to be settled on penalties, where Berkane converted all five spot-kicks as Pirates missed one.

The North Africans are hoping to defend the title when they face Zamalek in the final next month.