Benabou heroics deny Ittihad Tanger as Moghreb Tetouan miss late penalty

Moghreb Tetouan missed the chance to claim their first win of the Moroccan league season after drawing 1-1 with Ittihad Tanger in the North Derby on Friday.

The second-round encounter at the Ibn Battouta Stadium appeared to be heading towards a home victory after Younes Najari cancelled out Mouad Karmoun’s first-half opener.

However, Moghreb Tetouan goalkeeper Zakaria Benabou produced a series of important saves to keep his side level before Yassin Al-Karashneh missed a stoppage-time penalty.

Karmoun gives Tetouan first-half lead

Moghreb Tetouan started positively and took the lead in the 37th minute when Mouad Karmoun found the net.

The goal gave Mohammed Amin Al-Karma’s side an important advantage heading into the interval and left Ittihad Tanger facing the task of finding a response in the second half.

The home side returned from the break with greater attacking intent and were rewarded when Younes Najari equalised in the 57th minute.

Benabou keeps Tetouan in the game

Ittihad Tanger continued to push for a second goal after restoring parity and created several opportunities to complete the comeback.

But Benabou emerged as the outstanding player for Moghreb Tetouan, making a series of decisive interventions to deny the home side.

The goalkeeper reportedly prevented Ittihad Tanger from scoring from five clear opportunities as Tetouan survived sustained pressure.

Karashneh misses late penalty

Despite spending much of the second half under pressure, Moghreb Tetouan had the opportunity to snatch all three points in stoppage time.

Referee Said Boujidi awarded the visitors a penalty, giving Yassin Al-Karashneh the chance to secure a dramatic victory.

Karashneh failed to convert the spot-kick, however, allowing Ittihad Tanger to escape with a point.

The draw leaves Moghreb Tetouan with two points from their opening two matches after their goalless draw against Renaissance Berkane in the first round.

Tetouan continue to rely on young players

Moghreb Tetouan’s difficult start has come amid problems registering some of their new signings.

As a result, the club have begun the campaign with a squad containing a large number of youth-team players while their registration issues linked to their disputes before FIFA remain unresolved.

Ittihad Tanger, meanwhile, missed the opportunity to make it two wins from two after beating Ittihad Amal Tiznit away in their opening match.

The Tangier side had to settle for a point at home, with Benabou’s performance and Tetouan’s late penalty miss ultimately denying them victory.