Ajako rescues FUS Rabat against CAF Cup holders USM

Nigerian James Ajako salvaged a 1-1 draw for hosts FUS Rabat of Morocco against title-holders USM Alger of Algeria on Saturday in a high-profile CAF Confederation Cup qualifier.

Captain Zineddine Belaid put the visitors ahead in the final minute of the opening half and they retained the lead until six minutes from time when Ajako struck.

Both goals came from defenders in a match that lived up to its pre-match billing of being a showdown between clubs capable of winning the second-tier African competition.

The draw leaves the last-32 tie delicately balanced with the return match scheduled for Oran on October 1.

USM became the first Algerian winners of the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League when they edged Young Africans of Tanzania on away goals in a two-leg final last season.

The Algerian outfit arrived in Morocco with morale high after a shock 1-0 victory over Al Ahly of Egypt in Saudi Arabia last weekend in the annual CAF Super Cup match.

But after Belaid nodded a corner past goalkeeper Aymane Majid, 2010 Confederation Cup winners FUS fought back and Amine Azri set up Ajako for the equaliser.