Spaniard Martin coaches outsiders Fes to Moroccan glory

JOHANNESBURG: As Morocco prepare to tackle France in a World Cup quarter-final blockbuster on Thursday, pre-season outsiders Maghreb Fes have won a thrilling league title race in the African kingdom.
Coached by Spaniard Pablo Martin, the Yellow Tigers from the central city beat lowly Olympique Dcheira 2-0 in the final round to finish with 59 points from 30 matches.
It was a triumphant return to Africa for the 46-year-old Martin, who was sacked by South African outfit AmaZulu in 2024. He then coached Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia before joining Fes last year.
Midfielder Anas Tahiri broke the deadlock in Fes after 51 minutes and center-back Ayman Chabani added a second goal on 72 minutes.
Finishing first takes Fes into the CAF Champions League for the first time since 2012, when they were eliminated in the final qualifying round for the group phase.
Maghreb last won one of the most competitive African leagues in 1985.

They triumphed by winning 16 matches, drawing 13, losing three, scoring 40 goals and conceding 17.
Renaissance Berkane, winners of the second-tier African competition the CAF Confederation Cup a record-equalling three times, finished runners-up thanks to a 3-1 win at Difaa El Jadidi.
Coming second brings Berkane back to the CAF Champions League, the elite African club competition. They reached the semifinals last season before losing to fellow Moroccans FAR Rabat.
FAR were held 0-0 at home by Renaissance Zemamra to finish fourth behind Raja Casablanca, who qualify for the Confederation Cup.
- North African dominance -
To compete in the 2026-27 African season, FAR must win the Throne Cup, the Moroccan equivalent of the English FA Cup.
Three-time African champions Wydad Casablanca are in a similar situation to