Six teams were in action on Thursday in Morocco's top division Botola Pro but none of them left with maximum points. League leaders RS Berkane were joined by Raja Casablanca and Rabat's AS FAR in playing to draws with their opponents on the day.
RSB are known for finding ways to win with late goals but this time the Orange Boys were the victims of a late surge from opponents Olympique Safi in their 2-2 draw. Issoufou Dayo's first half penalty kick was followed by a goal from Yassine Labhiri but the hosts lost their focus and conceded two goals in the final fifteen minutes to OCS forward Abdoulaye Diarra, including his header from a corner kick in stoppage time. It is the first time RSB have conceded two goals in a match since June.
In Casablanca, the Green Eagles of Raja CA were very fortunate to escape with a point in their 1-1 draw with IR Tanger. Former PSV Eindhoven youth product Zakarkia Bakkali opened the scoring for IRT in the 72nd minute and it appeared the visitors were set for victory.
However, despite lacking ideas throughout the match, Raja pushed numbers forward and fullback Abdelkarim Baadi arrived at the far post to head in a cross from Youssef Belammari in second half stoppage time. Raja are still struggling down in 8th position on the table.
Finally, AS FAR suffered a similar fate to fellow title contenders RS Berkane. Goals from Zakaria Ajoughlal and former TP Mazembe striker Joël Beya gave the military club a 2-0 lead after an hour but COD Meknes staged a dramatic comeback. Yassine Senhaji pulled one back in the 89th minute and Cheikh Omar Faye equalized in stoppage time to send the home supporters into delirium.
Despite dropping points, leaders RS Berkane are firmly atop the table not only ahead in points but also with matches to make up due to their CAF Champions League duties. RSB and AS FAR will be in action again on Sunday.
Results
COD Meknes 2-2 AS FAR
Raja CA 1-1 IR Tanger
RS Berkane 2-2 Olympique Safi
League Table (Top-8)
GP | Points | |
RS Berkane | 17 | 40 |
Renaissance Zemamra | 19 | 37 |
Wydad AC | 19 | 33 |
Maghreb Fez | 19 | 32 |
AS FAR | 17 | 31 |
FUS Rabat | 18 | 29 |
Olympique Safi | 18 | 28 |
Raja CA | 17 | 24 |
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