RS Berkane

History

Founding and early years

The club was founded in 1978 under the name of Association Sportive de Berkane. In 1953, a team driven by nationalism was created; it was called Union Sportive Musulmane de Berkane (USMB). But this did not last, after a crisis that broke out in 1955.

In 1959–1960, the Union Sportive Musulmane de Berkane was relegated to the 3rd division. In 1962–1963, it contested the play-off match to move up to the 2nd division. The first meeting was between Union Sportive Musulmane de Berkane, against Wydad de Fès. Berkane was promoted to the top division.

In 1966 it was renamed Union Sportive de Berkane and, in the same year, a new club was founded under the name of Chabab Riadhi de Berkane.

In 1971, both teams merged to make Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (Nahdat Berkane). This merger was beneficial for the club; it entered the 1st division in 1977–78.

In 1986, Berkane reached the final for the first time in their history after defeating MC Oujda 2–1 in the semi-final. On 7 September 1987, Berkane lost the 1986 Throne Cup final, after a 4–0 defeat by Kawkab Marrakech.

Return to the Botola

The RSB regained its spot in the first Moroccan division in 2012, under the presidency of Fouzi Lekjaa, who ran the club since 2009.

In 2014, Berkane reached the final for the second time, after a 2–0 victory against Maghreb de Fès. On 18 November, Berkane lost the final after a 2–0 loss against FUS Rabat.

First success

In 2018, RS Berkane won its first ever title, the Moroccan Throne Cup after defeating Wydad de Fès In penalties.

Berkane have been making steady progress over the years, culminating with their first continental silverware. After their Confederation Cup campaign ended at the quarter-final stage in 2018, they went further in 2019 and lost the final to Zamalek SC. In the semi-final, Berkane defeated CS Sfaxien 3–2 on aggregate, reaching the final of the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time.

In August 2019, after a decade at the helm, Fouzi Lekjaa stepped down as president of RS Berkane, marking the end of an era of transformative leadership. Following his resignation, Hakim Ben Abdellah was appointed as the new president, ushering in a new chapter for the club's administration.

Hakim Ben Abdellah era (2019–present)

In 2020, Renaissance Sportive De Berkane was crowned Confederation Cup champions, clinching their first continental title in their history. The club beat Egyptians Pyramids 1–0 in the final game at Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat. In the semi-final, Berkane defeated countrymates Hassania Agadir 2–1both scored by Mohamed Aziz.

In the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup, Berkane qualified to the knockout stages after finishing top in the group stages winning three matches, drawing one and losing two. They defeated Al Masry in the Quarter-finals after an away goal ruled in their favor. In the Semi-final, they faced TP Mazembe, which ended in a 4–2 victory on aggregate. On 20 May 2022, Berkane defeated Orlando Pirates F.C. on penalties to win their second African title. With this win, Berkane will play in the first-ever all-Moroccan CAF Super Cup against 2021–22 CAF Champions League winners, Wydad AC. On 28 July 2022, Berkane defeated Wydad in penalties in the 2020–21 Moroccan Throne Cup to win its second domestic title.

On 11 September 2022, Berkane defeated Wydad 2–0 to win its first ever CAF Super Cup. They failed to qualify for the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup. However, following a poor start to the season, Abdelhak Benchikha was sacked in November 2022 after three months officially in charge, with Berkane in 13th place in the table.

On 12 September 2023, Berkane announced the club will contribute MAD 500 thousand to the "Al Haouz Earthquake".

In the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup, Berkane qualified to the knockout stages after finishing top in the group stages winning four matches and drawing two. They defeated Abu Salim in the Quarter-finals. In the first leg of the Semi-final, Berkane was awarded a 3–0 victory after the match was abandoned due to the confiscation of Berkane jerseys by the Algerian security forces at Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers because of the presence of the Moroccan map along with its disputed Southern Provinces. On 1 May, CAF confirmed the qualification of Berkane to the CAF Confederation Cup final, In the final they lost the title against Zamalek SC despite a (2-2) draw due to the away goal advantage.

The 2024–25 season marked the most successful campaign in Berkane's history, as the club clinched its first-ever Botola title, secured their third CAF Confederation Cup title, and capped off the historic run by reaching the Throne Cup final. However, they were defeated in the final, missing the chance to complete a historic treble. Their league triumph also earned them a place in the CAF Champions League for the first time, where they will compete in the 2025–26 season.

Grounds

The Stade Municipal de Berkane, located in the city of Berkane in eastern Morocco, has been the home stadium for the team since 2014. With a seating capacity of 10,000 spectators, the stadium underwent significant improvements in 2017 when a natural lawn replaced the synthetic turf that was initially installed. Notably, the stadium gained recognition when it hosted the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup between RS Berkane and Zamalek SC on 19 May 2019. Today, the venue is not only used for local matches, including the Botola Pro but also for international games, such as the CAF Confederation Cup.

Apart from its impressive seating area, the stadium features several essential facilities, including a foyer, a hall of honor, a doping control room, a nursing room, two clothes warehouses, sanitary facilities, and a meeting room for referees. Moreover, the playing field is covered with artificial grass that incorporates natural fibers, ensuring an optimal playing surface for the athletes. With its modern amenities and rich sporting history, the Stade Municipal de Berkane continues to serve as a symbol of pride for both the local community and fans of the beautiful game.

Performance in CAF competitions

• CAF Champions league: 1 appearance ::2026 – TBD

• CAF Confederation Cup: 9 appearances ::2015 – First round ::2018 – Quarter-finals ::2019 – Runners-up ::2020 – Winners ::2021 – Group stage ::2022 – Winners ::2023 – Play-off round ::2024 – Runners-up ::2025 – Winners

• CAF Super Cup 3 appearances ::2021 – Runners-up :: 2022 – Winners ::2025 – Runners-up

Honours

Doubles and Trebles

• International Trebles

  • Moroccan Throne Cup, CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Super Cup (1): 2022

• ** International Doubles**

  • Botola Pro, CAF Confederation Cup (1): 2025

Awards

• "UMFP" Moroccan Team of the Year: 2025

Current squad

As of 2 September, 2025.

Managers

• Algeria Djilali Abdi ( 1991 – 1992)
• Algeria Abdelkader Sennour ( 1996 – 1997)
• Algeria Salah Badache ( 2007 – 2008)
• France Bertrand Marchand (16 October 2012 – 17 June 2013)
• Switzerland Umberto Barberis (1 July 2013 – 30 October 2013)
• Morocco Youssef Lemrini (30 October 2013 – 30 June 2017)
• Morocco Mounir Jaouani (1 July 2017 – 2019)
• Morocco Tarik Sektioui (2019 – 2021)
• Morocco Juan Pedro Benali (2021 – 2021)
• COD Florent Ibengé (July 2021 – 11 September 2022)
• Algeria Abdelhak Benchikha (10 August 2022 – 11 November 2022)
• Morocco Amine El Karma (11 November 2022 – 11 February 2024)
• Tunisia Mouin Chaâbani (12 February 2024 – present)

Presidents

• Morocco Fouzi Lekjaa (2009 – August 2019)
• Morocco Hakim Ben Abdellah ( August 2019 – present)

References

References

1. (11 September 2022). "African Super Cup (2022)... Nahdet Berkane team wins its first title after defeating Wydad Athletic Club (2–0)".
2. (9 October 2022). "Renaissance Berkane's nets shook 3 times in Nigeria".
3. (23 May 2019). ""Barkane Empire" is a turning point in Moroccan football history".
4. "Berkane: la "success-story" de la Renaissance, des divisions amateurs au doublé".
5. (26 May 2019). "Confederation Final... Nahdet Berkane, "Faqih" behind the name, and an Islamic Union that founded the club".
6. Vardien, Tashreeq. "Pirates' CAF Confederation Cup final opponents: RS Berkane – who are they?".
7. "كووورة: الموقع العربي الرياضي الأول".
8. (22 August 2019). "Fouzi Lekjaa Resigns as President of Renaissance Sportive de Berkane". albawaba.
9. "Berkane Renaissance...the story of the rise from amateurs to the top of Africa".
10. "كووورة: الموقع العربي الرياضي الأول".
11. (18 October 2020). "Morocco: Naji – Berkane's Faithful 'Combatant'". all africa.
12. "Zamalek use penalty power to end 16-year African trophy drought".
13. El-Ramady, Ahmed. (5 May 2019). "RS Berkane thrash CS Sfaxien, advance to CAF Confederations Cup final".
14. (2019-08-22). "Morocco's Football President Steps Down as RS Berkane Chairman".
15. "Confederation Cup: Berkane win first African title". BBC Sport.
16. (25 October 2020). "" RENAISSANCE SPORTIVE DE BERKANE " CROWNED CAF CUP CHAMPIONS". panafricanfootball.
17. "RS Berkane crowned Confederation Cup Champions for the first time".
18. "RS Berkane: Road to the final".
19. Soliman, Seif. (25 April 2022). "Al Masry exit Confederation Cup after aggregate defeat to RS Berkane".
20. (15 May 2022). "Late goal spree takes Moroccan club Berkane to CAF Cup final".
21. "RS Berkane win shoot-out to lift Confederation Cup". BBC Sport.
22. (30 May 2022). "El Moutaraji strikes twice as Wydad become African champions".
23. "Caf Super Cup: Rabat to host final between RS Berkane and Wydad Casablanca".
24. "RS Berkane Beats Wydad AC to Win its 2nd Throne Cup Title". Morocco world news.
25. "Berkane Upset Wydad To Lift CAF Super Cup A First Time".
26. (9 November 2022). "Berkane eliminated from the 32nd round of the CAF Cup".
27. (10 November 2022). "Nahdet Berkane announces its separation from Abdelhak Benchikha".
28. "Nahdet Berkane announces its contribution of 500 thousand dirhams to the "Al Haouz Earthquake" donation fund.".
29. "RS Berkane, USM Alger secure away victories, Sekhukhune held by Stade Malien".
30. "USM Alger, RS Berkane, Zamalek and Dreams FC to compete in TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Finals".
31. EL MASAITI, Amira. (2024-04-19). "Moroccan football team RS Berkan detained in Algeria over map on jerseys".
32. Kasraoui, Safaa. "RS Berkane Emerges as Winner After Algeria's Hostility to Morocco's Full Map".
33. EL MASAITI, Amira. (2024-05-02). "CAF confirms RS Berkane's qualification for CAF cup final".
34. "Zamalek overturn first leg deficit to win TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup".
35. EL MASAITI, Amira. (2025-03-16). "Football : RS Berkane crowned Moroccan Champions".
36. "RS Berkane clinch third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title".
37. EL MASAITI, Amira. (2025-06-29). "Olympic Safi crowned Throne Cup champions after penalty shootout victory".
38. "RS Berkane clinch historic first Moroccan league title".
39. "Diapo. Le stade municipal de Berkane prêt pour accueillir les matchs de la RSB".
40. Guessous, Hamza. "RS Berkane Beats Zamalek With Dramatic Extra-Time Goal". Morocco World News.
41. (9 August 2022). "رسميا..نهضة بركان ينهي "مسلسل" البحيري ويخطفه من الوداد والرجاء".
42. "Morocco – List of Cup Finals".
43. "CAF Cup and Confederation Cup".
44. "African Super Cup".
45. (19 September 2019). "نهضة بركان المغربي يعين طارق السكتيوي مدربا للفريق".
46. (3 July 2021). "كونغولي يقترب من النهضة البركانية لخلافة بنعلي".
47. (5 July 2021). "الكونغولي فلوران إيبينجي مديرًا فنيًا لنادى نهضة بركان المغربى".
48. "نادي "نهضة بركان" المغربي يعلن تعاقده مع المدرب الجزائري عبد الحق بنشيخة".
49. HAITAMI, Mohammed. "نهضة بركان يعين الكرمة مدربا مؤقتا للفريق".
50. (2024-02-12). "التونسي معين الشعباني يدرب نهضة بركان".