The reason for the encounter’s cancellation was not confirmed by the organisation. However, it came after a highly publicized situation where the Moroccan team’s playing kits were confiscated by Algerian authorities upon their arrival in the country before the match. CAF had initially approved Berkane’s kits for the season and maintained this stance despite objections from the Algerian Football Federation. As the game was scheduled to begin, Berkane’s team was still without their original jerseys, and they refused to take to the field without them.
As a result, CAF took a firm stance by awarding the Botola Pro side a 3-0 victory for the first leg after the Algerian authorities failed to acknowledge the legitimacy of Berkane’s kits. An official statement from CAF reads: “During its meeting held on April 24, the Organising Commission for Interclub Competitions and Management of the Club Licensing System has decided as follows: 1. This decision came following the failure of Algerian authorities to resolve the kit issue, leading to the cancellation of the match. The Moroccan outfit’s refusal to play without their original kits led to CAF awarding them a victory for the first leg.
The statement from CAF explains the decision made by the Organising Commission for Interclub Competitions and Management of the Club Licensing System. The decision was made in response to the failure of the Algerian authorities to address the kit issue.