Botola Pro: Despite three red cards, IR Tanger levels late against Olympique Safi

It looked like all hope was lost on Monday for IR Tanger but the hosts somehow found a way to draw Olympique Safi 1-1 despite three red cards to close out matchday one from Morocco’s Botola Pro.

8-man IRT found an 84th minute equalizer through defender Mohamed Saoud, who arrived unmarked to head in a corner kick from veteran playmaker Mohsine Moutouali. The match appeared to be in the hands of visitors OCS, who previously took the lead in the 70th minute courtesy of a goal from subsitute Moussa Koné.

It was OCS who were the first to draw the ire of the referee when Yassine Kordani was sent off before the half hour mark but the match became 10 v 10 before halftime when Bilal El Ouadghiri was sent off for IRT. The hosts also had a goal disallowed by VAR in first half stoppage time.

As the match wore on, IRT completely lost their discipline. Ennaama El Bellali received his second yellow card in the 50th minute and then after the opener from Koné, IRT goalkeeper Amine El Ouadd then received a direct red card. Despite the remarkable circumstances of playing 8 v 10, however, IRT scrapped a point courtesy of the late set piece.

Botola Pro action resumes on Tuesday as reigning champions RS Berkane travel to face newly-promoted Kawkab Marrakech, who fell in their opener at Wydad Casablanca.

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