Raja Club Athletic kicked off their 2026-27 Botola Pro campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Renaissance Zemamra at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. The decisive goal was scored by Othmane Chraibi in the 27th minute, securing an early advantage for the Green Eagles. This victory marked Raja's first appearance in the domestic league this season, following the postponement of their opening match against AS FAR due to international commitments.
The match, technically part of Matchday 2, saw Raja dominate possession and create scoring opportunities to extend their lead. However, Renaissance Zemamra's defense held strong, and they pushed for an equalizer but were unable to find the net. The win gives Raja their first three points of the campaign, placing them sixth in the early standings. Meanwhile, Zemamra remain without a point after two matches, following their 2-1 loss to defending champions Maghreb de Fes in the season opener.
Raja coach Paco Jemez had named a 20-player squad for the match, including several new signings. Notably, Jordan international Mohamed Abu Zraiq, also known as Sharara, was unavailable due to international duty. Chraibi's goal not only secured the win but also opened his scoring account in the new Botola Pro season. The 23-year-old midfielder joined Raja in July 2025 and is contracted to the club until June 2027.
The National Professional Football League announced the postponement of Raja's opening match against AS FAR before the start of the campaign, citing international commitments involving several AS FAR players. A new date for this fixture has yet to be confirmed. This win provides an encouraging start for Raja as they aim to challenge near the top of the Botola Pro this season.
Renaissance Zemamra, on the other hand, suffered their second consecutive defeat. Their inability to score against Raja has raised concerns about their attacking prowess this season. Zemamra will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Raja's victory was celebrated by their fans at the Mohammed V Stadium. The team's performance will boost their confidence as they prepare for their rescheduled match against AS FAR. The Green Eagles will look to build on this momentum and secure more points in the coming weeks.
The 2026-27 Botola Pro season has begun with several exciting matches. Raja's win over Renaissance Zemamra is just one of the many results that will shape the league standings. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches to see which teams will emerge as top contenders this season.
Key points
- Raja Club Athletic won their first Botola Pro match of the 2026-27 season 1-0 against Renaissance Zemamra.
- Othmane Chraibi scored the only goal of the match in the 27th minute.
- Raja's win places them sixth in the early standings, while Renaissance Zemamra remain without a point.
