Raja Club Athletic were held to a 2-2 draw by Nigeria’s El-Kanemi Warriors in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Moroccan side fell behind after only six minutes, when the hosts took an early lead in Nigeria.
The goal unsettled Raja, who needed several minutes to settle into the match and regain control of midfield. They gradually found their rhythm, and Shararah brought them level in the 23rd minute.
That equaliser gave Raja an important away goal and restored their confidence as the two sides continued an intense first half. The teams went into the interval level, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the second period.
Raja started the second half with greater authority, as both teams increased the tempo in search of an advantage in the contest. The visitors controlled the midfield and began to impose their style on an El-Kanemi Warriors side forced deeper by the pressure.
Their dominance was rewarded in the 61st minute, when Mathiasa put Raja ahead with a precise finish. The goal appeared to have put the visitors on course for a valuable victory away from home.
El-Kanemi Warriors responded by committing more players forward, encouraged by their home support. Their pressure eventually produced an equaliser in the 82nd minute, allowing the Nigerian side to draw level at 2-2.
Both teams continued to push for a decisive third goal in the closing stages, but neither could find a further breakthrough. The match ended level, with Raja Club Athletic taking a draw back to Morocco after surrendering their lead late on.