Raja Casablanca go into this match with one hand on the Cup following a convincing 3-0 win in the reverse fixture in Casablanca last Sunday.
But despite going down in the first leg away, AS Vita feels the battle is far from over especially after recording a huge and convincing victory against North African opposition in the semifinals.
Florent Ibenge’s men crashed Al Mary 4-0 in the second leg of the semifinal at home to reach the final, and Sunday’s match might not look like an insurmountable task for them.
However, Raja were in mean mood during the first leg and carrying on with such attitude might see them further hurt the Congolese giants.
Potentially, Sunday’s match could a steamy affair and Vita are likely to start on fire, trying to reduce arrears and make coming back into the contest an easier task by halftime.
| Game | AS Vita v Raja Casablanca |
| Date | Sunday, December 2 |
| Time | 19:00 GMT |
TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch
The game will be shown live on SuperSport 4. You can also catch live updates on Goal.com .
| Live Match Centre | TV Channel |
|---|---|
| Goal.com | SS4 |
Squads & Team News
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The good news in AS Vita’s camp is the availability of chief striker Jean-Marc Makusu who was injured in the first leg.
Makusu sustained a thigh injury and lasted just 24 minutes of the match before being replaced by Eddy Ngoyi.
After being substituted, Makusu’s absence could be easily felt and Chadrack Lukombe struggled to shoulder the responsibility for goals and could not even finish the game.
Now, Makusu’s availability is what Vita coach Ibenge prayed for all week.
With the DR Congo international striker having scored nine goals in the competition this season, Vita might not have afforded to lose him for the second leg.
However, the biggest blow for Vita would be the absence of suspended defender Yannick Bangala who was red-carded in the first leg.
Botuli Bompunga is expected to start in place of Bangala as Vita also seek answers for their defence which conceded three goals the last time out.
Also absent for AS Vita is midfielder Lenga Mukoko Tonombe who is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.
Having been commanding a starting place in the team, Tonombe's absence could be felt unless possible replacement Ducapel Moloko puts up a good shift.
AS Vita probable XI: Lukong, Bompunga, Munganga, Kupa, Ngonda, Shabani, Ngoyi, Ngoma, Ngudikama, Makusu, Moloko
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With Raja forward Mahmoud Benhalib continuing with his rich vein of form and available for the second leg, the Moroccans have every reason to believe that the 2018 Caf Confederation Cup is theirs.
Benhalib was the star of the first leg, providing two assists and scoring a goal to take his tally to 12 in this competition this season.
Sofiane Rahimi, another Raja reliable scorer, who grabbed a brace in the first leg will also be another concern for Vita defenders.
But the Moroccans will have to make do without striker Mouhssine Iajour who was red-carded after the final whistle of the first leg for allegedly head-butting a Vita player.
Iajour was subsequently slapped with a three-match ban by Caf.
Raja Casablanca probable XI: Zniti, Achchakir, Banoun, Boutayeb, Niasse, Mabidi, Hadraf, Sanad Al-Warfali, Hafidi, Benhalib, Rahimi.
Match Preview
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Having beaten Raja 2-0 in Kinshasa in a group match in May, AS Vita could be feeling that their opponents are not invincible and that could inspire them.
Sunday’s match would be the fourth time for these teams to meet in the Confederation Cup this season, having began their confrontations in the group stages where they drew 0-0 in Casablanca, before the 2-0 win for Vita at home.
For Vita, it would be the eighth match this season to face Moroccan opposition in Caf inter-club competitions.
The Congolese giants first visited Difaa El Jadida in the Caf Champions League before being demoted to the Confederation Cup where they were pooled in the same group with Raja.
They also visited RSB Berkane, who they booted out of the competition at the quarter-final stage.
Raja on the other hand have been winning both home and away from the quarter-finals stage and that kind of form on the road could be terrifying for Vita.
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