Bakhkhach Stuns Raja as FUS Rabat Fight Back for 1-1 Draw

FUS Rabat clawed back to grab a dramatic 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca in a pulsating Botola Pro fourth-round encounter that crackled with intensity. The hosts showed immense resilience to bounce back after Adel Bettaieb’s first-half opener, with substitute Mohamed Bakhkhach sparking delirium in the Rabat faithful with his clinical 69th-minute strike.

Raja Casablanca Take Early Control

The visitors started brightly, their 56% possession reflecting their early dominance. After weathering FUS Rabat’s initial energy, Raja struck gold in the 20th minute. Bouchaib Arrassi’s incisive pass found Bettaieb, who made no mistake with a cool finish past Lakred. The goal seemed to settle Paco Jémez’s side, who controlled proceedings for much of the half.

FUS Rabat Fight Back

The second half saw a transformed FUS Rabat side. Ricardo Formosinho’s tactical tweaks paid dividends as his team upped the intensity. Their 7 shots on goal, compared to Raja’s solitary effort, told the story of their sustained pressure. The breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when substitute Mohamed Bakhkhach, having just replaced Issam Naji, latched onto Amine Souane’s pass to slot home under Al Harrar. The Rabat stadium erupted, the equalizer a just reward for their second-half resurgence.

Late Drama and Tactical Tussles

Both managers made a flurry of late substitutions in search of a winner, with Raja introducing Azzeddine Laftah and Mohamed Makaazi, while FUS brought on Ismail Moutaraji and Hamza Bouhadi. The final minutes were frantic, but neither side could find the decisive breakthrough. Despite Raja’s dominance in possession and shots (10 total attempts), it was FUS who carried the greater threat where it mattered.

What This Result Means

For FUS Rabat, this hard-fought draw feels like a victory, a testament to their character and Formosinho’s astute game management. Raja Casablanca will rue their inability to capitalize on their first-half dominance, with Jémez left questioning whether his substitutions disrupted their rhythm. This thrilling encounter leaves both teams still unbeaten in the Botola Pro, setting up an intriguing season ahead.

Key Moments

20′ ⚽ Raja Casablanca — Adel Bettaieb (assist: Bouchaib Arrassi)

69′ ⚽ FUS Rabat — Mohamed Bakhkhach (assist: Amine Souane)