Raja Club Athletic strengthened their push towards the top of the Botola Pro Inwi 2026/27 table with a 2–0 victory over Ittihad Tanger on Sunday, 8 November, in Matchday 7. At the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Aymen Barkok converted an early penalty before Ayoub El Amloud doubled the lead just before half-time. The result lifted Raja to third place with 12 points, while Ittihad Tanger remained on 10 points.
Raja 2–0 Ittihad Tanger: Match summary
How Raja secured the three points
The home side made the perfect start. Aymen Barkok put Raja in front from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, giving the Green Eagles an early advantage and forcing Ittihad Tanger to respond from behind. The visitors tried to stay in the contest, but Raja struck again at a crucial moment: Ayoub El Amloud scored in first-half stoppage time, with match reports placing the goal around the 45th+6/7th minute.
The timing of the second goal was significant. Instead of going into the interval with only a narrow deficit, Ittihad Tanger had to face the second half two goals down. Raja, meanwhile, could manage the game with a more comfortable cushion. The score remained unchanged after the break, allowing the Casablanca club to collect another important league victory.
This was Raja’s second consecutive league win under Abdelkarim El Jinani, following the 2–1 victory over AS FAR in the postponed Matchday 1 fixture on 4 November. The latest result suggests a positive response after a difficult spell, although the team will need to maintain this consistency over the coming rounds.
Goalscorers: Barkok and El Amloud
Aymen Barkok – an early breakthrough
Barkok’s seventh-minute penalty gave Raja control of the scoreboard early in the match. Scoring from the spot in the opening stages helped settle the home side and put immediate pressure on Ittihad Tanger. His player profile is available on the Aymen Barkok page.
Ayoub El Amloud – a decisive goal before the break
El Amloud’s finish just before half-time was arguably the defining moment of the contest. It doubled Raja’s advantage at a point when Ittihad Tanger had little time to reorganise before the interval. The defender’s profile and squad information are available on the Ayoub El Amloud page.
Post-match reaction: El Jinani optimistic about Raja’s group
Raja coach Abdelkarim El Jinani highlighted the importance of honesty and communication between the coaching staff and the players, explaining how trust can improve the team’s response to instructions and overall performance.
“When a player senses honesty in you, he responds and understands the instructions you give him well, which has a positive impact on the team’s performance. I am very optimistic about this group.”
El Jinani also spoke about the emotional significance of the progress made after a difficult period:
“Thank God, the spirit has returned to the supporters and to us. What the players have been through has not been easy.”
The comments point to a central priority for Raja: rebuilding confidence and collective spirit alongside the tactical work. Two successive wins provide a stronger platform, but the coach’s challenge will be to turn that renewed energy into stable performances throughout the season.
Bencheikha: Ittihad Tanger were on equal terms with Raja
Ittihad Tanger coach Abdelhak Bencheikha acknowledged the difficulty of the result while stressing that his side had competed with Raja for significant periods. He also pointed to the importance of the timing of the goals, particularly the second strike just before the interval.
“If we had produced a great match, we would have won. We were on equal terms with Raja.”
Bencheikha’s assessment reflects the frustration of conceding at key moments. The early penalty put IRT on the back foot, while the goal at the end of the first half made a comeback more difficult. The Tangier side will need to improve its concentration around decisive moments and make better use of its attacking phases in the next fixtures.
Botola Pro Inwi standings after Matchday 7
Following the Matchday 7 result, Raja are third with 12 points, while Ittihad Tanger sit eighth with 10 points. The table below includes the two clubs’ confirmed positions and points. The Botola Pro Ranking panel on the Lions12 hub currently displays a placeholder pending verified standings data, so a full 16-team table has not been reproduced here.
| Position | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Raja Club Athletic | 12 |
| 8 | Ittihad Tanger | 10 |
For the live league hub, fixtures, results and the standings section on Lions12, visit Botola Pro. You can also browse every club through the Botola Pro Teams directory.
Club links and latest Lions12 coverage
Raja Club Athletic
- Raja Club Athletic – team profile and squad
- Raja beat AS FAR 2–1 in the postponed Matchday 1 Clásico
- Raja under pressure after the defeat to RS Berkane
Ittihad Tanger
Official Botola Pro Inwi channels
Follow the competition’s official updates, match announcements and results through the official National Professional Football League (LNFP) website and the official BOTOLAPRO INWI account on X.
Sources
- Elbotola – Raja beat Ittihad Tanger 2–0 and climb to third
- Le360 Sport – match report and league positions
- MFM Sport – match report
- Elbotola – Abdelhak Bencheikha’s post-match reaction
- Hesport – post-match comments from the coaches
- Le Matin Sports – Botola Pro table and results
- LNFP – official professional league website
Standings are a snapshot following the Matchday 7 fixtures and may change when postponed matches are played.