With both teams still making up matches due to their participation in the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League a lot was on the line in Wednesday’s Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle matchup between CR Belouizdad and ES Sétif. CRB came out with a massive 1-0 victory thanks to a goal in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time from Abderrahmane Bourdim, who curled in a beautiful free kick in the match’s final seconds to make the difference.
Goals were always going to be at a premium in the match due to the excellent defenses both teams possess and despite several forays forward, neither could find a decisive strike due to timely interventions from the CRB defensive line and Sétif goalkeeper Sofiane Khedairia. Sétif had a few opportunities in the first half but after the halftime break it was all CRB. The hosts forced several saves out of Khedairia before the decisive moment came late on through Bourdim, whose free kick rattled off the crossbar and just over the line to beat the outstanding goalkeeper.
Extended highlights are below. CRB are now six points ahead of JS Kabylie at the top with only six games left to play and still two to make up on JSK. Sétif are down in 9th position with several games to make up on their competition for a top-3 position.
