Algeria’s ES Sétif played an excellent tactical match and snatched a goal on the road to take down Guinean champions Horoya AC 1-0 in Conakry on Saturday in the CAF Champions League. Ahmed Kendouci ran on to a long ball that Horoya goalkeeper Moussa Camara missed and turned his shot into an empty net to make the difference for the Black Eagles, who achieved a dream start in Group B with the result.
ESS were forced into a defensive shell in the first half as the hosts poured forward in pursuit of an early strike. Sétif goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya was the star early on, forced to keep out a couple of efforts from Horoya striker Yakhouba Barry as well as a well struck effort from distance by midfielder Pape Ndiaye. The visitors held out admirably and were nearly rewarded just before halftime when Kendouci nodded back Abderrahim Deghmoum’s far post cross, but Abdelkader Boutiche sliced his shot far wide.
Sétif did end up getting their reward and the moment came before two minutes of the second half were up. A long ball intended for Kendouci saw Camara come out of his box in an attempt to play the ball, but the Guinea national team keeper comically missed his header attempt and Kendouci collected before shooting a precise effort from a tight angle into the empty net.
Horoya had a couple of looks but the attack struggled to break down a Sétif defense that was bunkered in following the opener. The Guinean side’s awful day was confirmed in the 68th minute when Barry went in with his foot raised on a challenge and received his marching orders for a second yellow card. The defensive task became easier for the Algerian side and ESS held out for three points on the road that could be crucial.
Highlights from Conakry are below.
