Romain Wattel picked up four shots in his last four holes to snatch a share of the lead going into the final round of the Trophee Hassan II, but with ten players separated by a single shot the tournament remains wide open in Agadir.
The Frenchman’s 67 was matched by Scotland’s Andrew McArthur, and they joined overnight co-leader Richie Ramsay on seven under par after the two-time European Tour winner went round in 71.
Among those a shot off the pace is South African George Coetzee, who needs to win in order to secure a place at next month’s Masters Tournament.
“It was a thrilling back nine,” said Wattel, who went birdie-birdie-eagle from the 15th as he chases a maiden European Tour title. “It is always nice to finish the round like that.
“I was two under quite quickly then I had a few mistakes. I had a good putt on 12 for bogey and that was the key today.
“After this putt I still have confidence even if it was only for bogey. You have to be patient here and on the good side every time.
“I’m desperate for a win. I can’t control what the other guys will shoot so I just concentrate on my own game. We will see tomorrow. When you start a tournament you want to win but all the guys want the same, you can only play your best.”
Coetzee staged a superb fightback to keep his hopes of qualifying for the Augusta National alive at Golf du Palais Royal.
Needing a win to make the year's first Major Championship in a fortnight's time, he found himself six shots off the lead after a front nine of 39 on Saturday.
However, the South African carded five birdies and one bogey on the back nine to card a 71 and finish six under par, which proved enough to lie just one shot back.
Coetzee is part of a seven-strong group which includes former champion David Horsey, as well as Ireland's Kevin Phelan, England’s Richard Bland, Dane Søren Kjeldsen, South African Jaco Van Zyl and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo.
Coetzee, who won the Tshwane Open on his home course in Pretoria a fortnight ago, said: "I am quite happy. I'm quite surprised the guys haven't gone lower.
"I've been battling away the last couple of days but happy to be in the mix. I made some silly errors, mental errors, but I feel like I am still in a good space so (I'm) happy with the comeback today and hopefully (it) puts me in good stead for tomorrow.
"I've got a bit of mental game plan going at the moment and when you make mistakes you focus on doing the mental stuff correct and it kind of takes care of itself.
"The big change came yesterday on the fifth. I hit it left and was going to hack it when my caddie said there's three par fives on the back nine, let's take our punishment, take a drop and work from there. That kept reminding me about the back nine so it always keeps you in a good frame of mind."
England's Tommy Fleetwood also needs to win on Sunday to qualify for the Masters, but is five shots off the lead after struggling to a 73 which included a triple bogey eight on the fifth.
Just four shots separate the top 29 players and Coetzee added: "There are so many guys in the mix you can't say that you can control it. You just have to go out and play well."
McArthur and Wattel both carded rounds of 67 to move through the field on Saturday, with Ramsay starting the day in a share of the lead but having to settle for a 71 containing five birdies and four bogeys, the last of which on the 18th cost him the outright lead.
"It felt pretty good, it just sort of crept up on me," said McArthur, who is making just his third European Tour start of the season. "I am delighted.
"I have accepted I am not striking it as I want to but I have found something to get it in play and try and get it pin high, hole a few putts and you never know.
"I played well in Joburg (finishing joint 18th), moved myself up a lot on the last day. I putted well so hopefully that continues tomorrow."
Ramsay, the only one of the leading trio to have won before on The European Tour, admitted to being frustrated on the greens.
“My ball striking at times was excellent, I just couldn’t make any putts,” said Ramsay, who was a whisker away from acing the 16th but missed a four footer for birdie. “I didn’t really make anything out there today.
“I’m pleased to be in the hunt. I’m a fraction frustrated as I played some great stuff out there.
“I hit a lot of shots down the target line and nearly holed some iron shots out there, but I just couldn’t hole any putts. I’m giving myself opportunities and sooner or later I’m going to hole some. I’ve not holed many this week, so I’m due some tomorrow.”
