South African attacker Devin Titus played a key role as Moroccan champions Maghreb Fes booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stages with a 2-1 win over ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan on Sunday night.

The second-leg victory at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny gave Maghreb Fes a 3-2 aggregate triumph after the first leg in Morocco had finished 1-1. Titus provided the assist for Noureddine Oussama’s opening goal in that opening match, only for Bamba Souhalio to equalise deep in stoppage time. The result left the Moroccan side with work to do away from home, but they delivered when it mattered.

In the return fixture, Christopher Ibayi put Maghreb Fes ahead in the 62nd minute. ASEC Mimosas levelled through Kevin Bakare ten minutes later, but Khalid Baba struck in the seventh minute of added time to seal a dramatic away win. The late goal completed the comeback and sent the Moroccan club into the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition for the first time in 14 years.

Titus featured throughout the tie and continues to make a strong impression since joining Maghreb Fes from Stellenbosch FC in August. The 25-year-old former Winelands star has now recorded six goal contributions in nine appearances for his new club across all competitions. His pace and direct running have quickly made him a useful option in the Moroccan champions’ attack.

Fellow South African Tshegofatso Mabasa was also part of the matchday squad. The former Orlando Pirates striker started on the bench and was introduced later in the game as Maghreb Fes pushed for the winner. Mabasa, who signed for the club earlier in the window after leaving Pirates, remains an important presence in the squad even if he has yet to find the net regularly in the Champions League.

Both players left Stellenbosch FC this season, with Titus departing after establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players and Mabasa completing his move as a free agent following a loan spell. Their presence in Morocco has given South African football two more representatives in the CAF Champions League group stages.

Maghreb Fes will now look to build on this continental success while competing in the Botola Pro, where they sit sixth after four matches. For Titus and Mabasa, the qualification offers a clear platform to continue proving themselves on the African stage.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2114420555357020580