Dadi Mouaki’s 90th minute goal sent the home support into ecstasy at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers as JS Kabylie edged Angola’s Petro de Luanda 1-0 to move atop Group A and confirm their qualification for the CAF Champions League quarterfinals on Saturday. Mouaki’s late match winner came after a hard fought battle where Petro was the more dangerous team but failed to take advantage of their chances and are now eliminated at the group stage after reaching the quarterfinals last season. JSK will travel to Wydad AC in two weeks where a win or draw will leave them as group winners.
JSK’s poor play in the first half resembled their domestic league form with the hosts failing to put a shot on goal. Petro dominated possession and opportunities but lacked the killer instinct in the final third. The best chance in the first half for Petro came in the 32nd minute but Gilberto shot right at JSK goalkeeper Abderrahmane Medjadel after being set up by a pass from Gleison.
The opportunities increased after the hour mark as JSK began to show more attacking effort. A header from Petro striker Tiago Azulão went just wide in the 69th minute after the Brazilian dove onto a free kick service from substitute Jaredi Teixeira. The last ten minutes of the match were JSK’s best spell and the Algerian club found their winner at a crucial moment late on when Mouaki received a pass on the left side of the penalty area and had plenty of time to position himself before firing low past Petro keeper Hugo Marques.
Despite being second from the bottom in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle, JSK continue their dream run in CAF club competition with the victory. Video of the winning goal from Mouaki is below.
