Mamelodi Sundowns have collected another single point in their second CAF Champions League match, sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw away to FAR Rabat to maintain second position in Group B at Stade El Abdi on Saturday. 

The Brazilians travelled to Morocco in search of their first victory of the Champions League group stages after an underwhelming start to the competition playing to a 0-0 draw at home to AS Maniema of Congo. 

20-year-old Sundowns’ defender, Mlibongwe Khoza was once again thrown in the deep end by coach Manqoba Mngqithi, registering his second and most testing start in continental football. 

The game took off to a pacy start, with end-to-end action resulting in short possession spells from both teams who looked determined to get the upper hand in the early stages. 

The 2016 African champions eventually hit the upper gear, gaining more ball possession as the first half progressed, approaching the first quarter. 

Rabat registered their first shot at goal in the 18^th minute when midfielder Mohamed Hrimat skyrocketed his long-range attempt, bearing no threat to goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams. 

The 21^st minute saw Sundowns having to make an early substitution after Mothobi Mvala was unfortunate to suffer a bad injury, jarring his knee when he was attempting to clear the ball. The former Highlands Park midfielder-turned-defender was replaced by Mosa Lebusa. 

Despite possession dominance, the South African champions were successfully kept away from dangerous positions with the Moroccans closing all pockets of spaces, starving the visitors of any clear-cut scoring chances. 

Just before halftime, a double booking was issued to Lucas Riberio Costa and Rabie Hrimat for their misconduct in a post-foul altercation. 

However, both sides failed to find an opener but the visitors looked the livelier in attack. 

Sundowns were the first to threaten three minutes into the second half when Aubrey Modiba struck one from afar only to send it to the grandstand. 

A one-on-one situation in the Sundowns box saw the hosts almost take the lead thanks to Lebusa who came to the rescue, expertly blocking Anas Bach’s shot without panic to keep Masandawana in the game at the 52^nd minute.

The downs defense was repeatedly tested in the third quarter when Williams was forced to a good save in the 63rd minute when a header pooped out from a congested box. 

Amid the pressure, Sundowns stunningly found an opener in the 66^th minute. An uncharacteristic move from the visitors worked in perfection when Williams hoofed one across the pitch to locate Iqraam Rayners who banged a half-volley in his second touch, spinning over the goalkeeper from just outside the box. 

It took just eight minutes for the home team to find their response when the Downs defense was caught napping in the box. Unmarked Rabat captain, Hrimat slotted home on the end of an exquisite cross into the box, erupting a packed Ben M’Hamed Stadium who were kept quiet just minutes before. 

Unlike the first, the two teams were equally poised in scoring chances and attacking threat in the second, with almost every attack from either end looking promising. However, Sundowns finished the game with 10-man after Modiba was sent off for a late challenge in the 90th minute, but points were shared.