Raja Casablanca came from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in a Caf Confederation Cup first leg quarter-final clash at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It had looked good for the Soweto giants when they were 1-0 up at half time through Vincent Pule's well-taken goal, only for the north African side to rally in the second half to earn a share of the spoils through Ben Malango's 59th minute strike.
Pirates had started the game on the front foot and visiting keeper Anas Zniti had to react sharply in the seventh minute to keep out a deflected cross from Wayde Jooste, following a free-flowing move by the South African team.
At the other end, Bucs keeper Wayne Sandilands didn't have much to do until the 23rd minute when he made a routine save to keep out Soufiane Rahimi's shot, which was partically blocked by Ben Motshwari.
The Sea Robbers should have taken the lead on the half hour mark when Pule sent in a great cross from the right which picked out Deon Hotto, but from right in front of goal he failed to connect with his attempted volley.
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A couple of minutes later, Pirates skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo made a brilliant headed clearance from what was a very dangerous ball into the box towards Malango.
Bucs had the breakthrough they were looking for in the 39th minute when Jooste launched a long ball up field, which was flicked by a Raja defender into the path of Pule, who gobbled up the chance superbly as he took the ball in on goal before chipping it past the on-rushing Zniti.
Three minutes after the restart and the Moroccan side were left upset that they were not awarded a penalty after Malango's touch in the box hit defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza on the arm.
It wasn't given, but Raja kept up the pressure and it paid off on the hour mark when Malango out-muscled Nyauza and then turned inside Bongani Sam before firing a low shot in at the far post to level the score-line.
Following that the game became increasingly cagey as Pirates tried to get back in front but found the visiting team hard to break down.
Even the introduction of Thembinkosi Lorch didn't help the hosts much, with their next opening only arriving in the 82nd minute when Paseka Mako picked out Hotto in the box, but a moment of indecision meant the chance came to nought.
Right at the end of the game there was another glimmer of hope for Pirates when Mako broke into the box down the left flank, but Zniti came out quickly to make the block.
