Moroccan side RS Berkane have left themselves with a mountain to climb after losing 2-0 to Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in a first leg, CAF Confederations Cup semi-final at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri on Sunday.

The home side controlled the flow of play from the opening whistle, but their decision making in the final third was poor which led to many wasted scoring chances.

Finally, just before the half hour mark Sfaxien made their pressure with the opening goal courtesy of a strike from Alaeddine Marzouki, 1-0.

The Tunisian side continued to dictate terms after that, but were unable to add to their goal tally before the break.

Sfaxien started where they left off in the second half and were awarded a penalty only seconds after the restart which Hamza Mathlouthi duly converted to make it 2-0.

The home side took their foot off the pedal after that and chose to try defend their two-goal lead.

Berkane saw more of the ball in the second 45 but they were unable to do anything telling with it.

The Moroccan side threw players forward in the final ten minutes in the hope of pulling a goal back but were unable to do so.

The two sides will meet for the second leg in Morocco next Sunday to see who will compete in the final of the CAF Confederations Cup.

CS Sfaxien (1) 2 (Marzouki 29’, Mathlouthi 47’ pen)
RS Berkane (0) 0

Teams

CS Sfaxien: Dahmen, Mathlouthi, Hnid, Amamou, Dagdoug, Oueslati (Ali Moncer 89’), Jelassi, Korichi (Harzi 75’), Sokari, Marzouki (Manucho 91’), Chaouat.

RS Berkane: Mhamdi, Nemsaoui, Dayo, Mokadem, Yechou, El Kass, Ouidare (Bari 86’), Naji, El Helali, Laachir (Ouald El Haj 78’), Laba.