Achraf Bencharki scored a precious away goal as Wydad Casablanca secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their African Champions League final against Al Ahly at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria on Saturday.
Wydad had to withstand a barrage of attacks from the home side through the 90 minutes but held firm and now take an advantage into the home leg of the final next Saturday.
Ahly had taken the lead through Moamen Zakaria but could not force a second as they look to add to their record eight Champions League titles.
They were ahead inside two minutes when Abdallah El-Said teed-up Zakaria for a stunning volley from 30-yards.
And it might have been 2-0 for a rampant home side five minutes later when their Moroccan striker Walid Azaro raced clear, but could only steer his shot onto the crossbar.
After weathering the early storm, Wydad settled and found an equaliser as Bencharki glanced his header past Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy from Mohamed Ounajem's cross on 17 minutes.
Ahly had the best chance before the break when Nigerian Junior Ajayi found himself unmarked in the box, but his header went high over the bar.
Ajayi and El-Said both missed good opportunities to put the home side in front again, while Azaro thought he should have had a penalty as well in the second half.
A late strike from experienced forward Emad Moteab shaved the post as Wydad clung on for the draw.