Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti’s journey is one of resilience and recovery, shaped by remarkable mental strength. It is the story of a boy who came through the prestigious Mohammed VI Academy, was crowned African champion with Wydad, then suffered a serious knee injury in 2023 that forced him to rebuild his career step by step – first in Fez, then in Tetouan – before returning to the highest level at ASFAR.
Since arriving in Rabat in July 2025, Tagnaouti has enjoyed a dream first season, starring in a sensational CAF Champions League campaign that has taken ASFAR all the way to the final. The Moroccans will traverse the African continent to play the first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday, 15 May, before welcoming the South Africans nine days later to decide which club will be crowned champions of Africa and earn places in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026™ and FIFA Club World Cup 2029™.
Yet nothing has come easily for the 13-time Moroccan champions who are chasing a second continental title and their first since 1985. Their path has taken them through two qualification rounds, followed by a group stage that featured Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly – the most decorated club in African club football – and a clash with defending champions Pyramids. But this close-knit team has risen to every challenge.
Tagnaouti spoke exclusively to FIFA about the journey that has brought him to within touching distance of another continental triumph.
Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti: My father was a goalkeeper. He’s also a great goalkeeping coach here in Morocco. Sometimes I would go along to training with him, which made me want to follow in his footsteps.
I spent six years at the [Mohammed VI Football] Academy, which was a great experience. Then I joined Berkane at 18. Despite my age, I played almost ten matches as first-choice goalkeeper, and that experience left a real impression on me and helped me develop.
Of course. I am very dedicated to my work. I don’t let media talk affect me. I was well aware that I had put on weight; that pushed me to work even harder and become even more focused. When I arrived at ASFAR, I knew from day one that I would have to live up to the standards of this great team. I needed to go through that period.
Here at ASFAR, everything is in place for us to achieve great things. We have players with plenty of experience. As soon as I arrived, I told myself: ‘We have to do something special this year.’ It was not straightforward at the start, but when you have experienced, ambitious players, you can achieve great things.
Yes, Berkane supported me and looked after me, especially when I was young. I knew it was not going to be easy, especially as they also have a lot of experience. They have won titles in Africa. Last year, they won the [Botola Pro] League. I warned my team-mates: ‘I know Berkane, I know their ground, I know what it is like there –it is not going to be easy.’ But we stuck together. We knew we had to reach the final, especially as it had been 40 years since the club had last got there. It is a dream for us and our fans.
In football, it’s crucial to have experienced players, but above all you need character. That is essential at a big club like ours.
I played against him several times. I always knew he would get there one day, even if he had to wait a little longer. He is an excellent player, but above all he is a true captain, both on and off the pitch. When I arrived at ASFAR, he helped me settle into the team straight away – although I already knew half of the players. He is a model professional and very demanding. He has earned his place among Africa’s best.
It is a final – finals are not played, they are won! Our aim is to win. I have played against Sundowns seven or eight times – they are a great club with top players. But we are ASFAR, and we have excellent players too. We’ll do whatever it takes to lift the cup, inshallah.
