Rayon Sports earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cameroon’s Panthère Sportive du Ndé in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Friday, keeping alive their hopes of progressing to the next stage of the competition.

The match, played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, saw the Rwandan giants recover from an early setback to secure a valuable away result ahead of the return leg in Kigali on September 12.

Panthère Sportive du Ndé took the lead in the 13th minute through Valentin Beo Batto, who produced a spectacular overhead kick to beat the Rayon Sports goalkeeper and send the home fans into celebration.

The Cameroonian side looked confident after taking the lead and continued to threaten with quick attacks, but Rayon Sports gradually grew into the game and began enjoying more possession.

The visitors came close to leveling the score before halftime when Elie Tatou Iradukunda stepped up for a free kick, only to see his effort crash against the post.

Rayon Sports dominated large spells of the second half and repeatedly pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, they struggled to convert their chances.

Their persistence eventually paid off five minutes from full time when Junior Herman Kameni rose highest to power home a header after meeting a well-delivered cross from Daniel Muhoza on the left flank.

The late goal silenced the home crowd and handed Rayon Sports a precious away draw that could prove decisive in the tie.

Panthère Sportive also had moments of promise, showing little fear against the Rwandan side and moving the ball effectively in attacking areas. However, the hosts lacked the finishing touch needed to capitalise on their chances.

With the aggregate score level at 1-1, qualification remains within reach for both teams, although Rayon Sports will fancy their chances on home soil after securing a valuable result in Cameroon.

The winner over the two legs will advance to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.