Morocco: Renaissance de Berkane held to thrilling draw by Union de Yacoub El Mansour

Renaissance de Berkane were forced to share the spoils after a pulsating 3-3 draw with Union de Yacoub El Mansour in Wednesday’s Botola Pro D1 Inwi encounter.

The result, played out in front of an animated home crowd, leaves Berkane in the upper reaches of the league table but frustrated at letting their lead slip.

The Oranges flew out of the blocks, striking twice in the opening six minutes to seize control of the match.

Oussama Lamlioui opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 3rd minute before Mounir Chouiar doubled the advantage three minutes later, raising hopes of a comfortable afternoon for the hosts.

Lamlioui added his second of the game in the 38th minute to give Berkane what appeared to be a commanding cushion.

But Union de Yacoub El Mansour refused to fold.

Zakaria Fati quickly pulled one back in the 9th minute, capitalising on a lapse in concentration from the Berkane defence to spark his side into life.

As the second half wore on, the visitors grew in confidence.

Fati struck again in the 58th minute, this time with a clinical effort that halved the deficit and swung momentum firmly in Union’s favour.

Berkane’s once-assured defence struggled to contain the visitors’ renewed energy, and the comeback was complete in the 66th minute when Jalal Eddine El Khfyef found the net, sending the travelling supporters into raptures.

From that point, the match opened up, with both sides creating chances in search of a decisive winner but ultimately settling for a share of the points after a frenetic final quarter-hour.

This stalemate places Berkane alongside Raja Casablanca, Maghreb Fez and Wydad Casablanca at the top of the table with seven points, a sign of how tight the early stages of the Botola Pro D1 campaign have become.

Union de Yacoub El Mansour, meanwhile, move to two points from their opening three fixtures, level with Difaa El Jadida in 11th place.

For Berkane, the draw is both a warning and a reminder: despite their attacking prowess, defensive lapses can undo early dominance. For Union de Yacoub El Mansour, however, it represents a statement of resilience and ambition — a sign that even away from home, they are capable of matching one of the league’s strongest sides blow for blow.