CR Belouizdad left fullback Naoufel Khacef scored a rare goal to give the Algerian giants a massive 1-0 victory over Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League Group C clash in Algiers. Khacef fired in from a rebound in second half stoppage time to give the hosts a hard fought victory in a match that looked destined for a draw. Notably, it is Al Ahly's first Champions League defeat in 27 matches.
The match began energetically with hosts CRB eager to show their quality after suffering a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Ahly in their first meeting. CRB winger Abderrahmane Meziane was influential throughout and created a couple of opportunities but the Ahly defense did well to hold out in the opening fifteen minutes.
CRB's South African attacker Khanyisa Mayo had the best opportunities but was wasteful with his finishing, clashing heads with Mohamed Belkhir when the teammates went up for a header. Mayo squandered another chance just before halftime when he went up to meet Houcine Benayada's dangerous cross but the ball glanced off his shoulder and over the goal of Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The energy died down in the second half with Ahly content to sit back and absorb pressure. CRB failed to produce the quality necessary to break down the reigning African club champions for long stretches but made the crucial breakthrough in second half stoppage time.
Meziane exploited poor positioning by the Ahly defense on the left wing and his cross found Hedy Chaabi whose shot was pushed away by El Shenawy but not out of danger, allowing left back Khacef to swoop in and power his finish over El Shenawy. It is a crucial goal for the Algerian club who are now back in contention in Group C.
Video: CR Belouizdad 1-0 Al Ahly highlights
Group C Table
Games Played | Points | |
| 4 | 7 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 3 | 1 |
Comments