Morocco’s Raja Casablanca host Kaizer Chiefs tonight in the second leg of the CAF Champions League for what promises to be a big battle between two soccer African soccer giants. Amakhosi’s Marketing Director Jessica Motaung, however, also stresses that although the teams will tonight be “rivals on the pitch, there is a strong camaraderie off the pitch.”

When Chiefs hosted the Moroccan side in Durban a few weeks ago, losing 1-0, all was done to receive the guests with all honour. Raja have now done the same in return.

The Amakhosi squad arrived in Casablanca on Thursday afternoon. Since then, there was, besides hard work on the training pitch, also some time to relax.

“It was wonderful to learn about the culture of Morocco,” Motaung continues. “We learnt as well about the big rivalry in Casablanca, the one between Wydad and Raja. Most Wydad Casablanca supporters will be on our side tonight. The Moroccans are very passionate about the game of football and that will be something that we will be able to see for ourselves tonight.”

“The locals also showed themselves to be passionate about the Kaizer Chiefs Brand, as nearly every Moroccan seems to know what we represent. They have really embraced our brand.”

“But, of course, tonight’s match will be a huge battle. The team has trained hard since arriving in Morocco for this encounter and the technical has prepared them well. And, this is something that we have taken out of this trip to Casablanca, we want to emulate Raja, which has already won the African Champions League three times, in 1989, 1997 and 1999. We are now more eager than ever to one day win this prestigious trophy.”

“We have been received well by Raja,” concludes Motaung, “in the true spirit of soccer, which is also the spirit of Chiefs - battle hard on the pitch, but always in the spirit of Love & Peace.”