Win in Senegal takes MC Alger to second

MC Alger claimed a key away win in their CAF Champions League campaign, defeating Senegalese hosts Teungueth 1-0 at Stade Lat Dior in Thies on Saturday evening.

MCA’s first win in Group D came courtesy of an early strike from Abdenour Belkheir, with the result taking the Algerians to second place on five points – just two behind leaders Esperance de Tunis, who defeated Zamalek 3-1 in a concurrent match in Rades.

The Senegalese rookies, meanwhile, are bottom of the log on one point.

MCA got off to a fine start and claimed the lead in the 14th minute, with Toufik Addadi teeing up Belkheir, who put his effort beyond the reach of Teungueth goalkeeper Ibrahima Niass.

It seemed unlikely that would be the only goal, with both teams freely creating chances.

Alger should have doubled their advantage through Samy Frioui just after the half-hour mark, but he struck wide of the mark, while the hosts’ Elhadji Omar Fall was denied by goalkeeper Farid Chaal late in the first half.

The second half saw Teungueth up their game in search of a reply, but they found MCA’s defence, featuring Mouad Haddad and Nabil Saadou, to be in an uncompromising mood.

The Algerians also offered a threat on the counter attack and will feel that they should have added to their advantage given the chances they created in transition in the latter stages of the match.

Nonetheless, a 1-0 away win in West Africa is a fine result for MCA, who will fancy their chances of completing a double when the return game is played in Algiers on Tuesday, 16 March.

?? HIGHLIGHTS:

Belkheir brilliant stunner vs. Teungueth FC sends MC Alger to group D's second spot with 5 points. ??#TotalCAFCL | #TFCMCA pic.twitter.com/Cupogy0lVj

— Total CAFCL - Total CAFCC ?? (@CAFCLCC) March 6, 2021

Teungueth FC 0
MC Alger (1) 1 (Belkheir 14’)

Teungueth: TNiass, Ndiaye, Sow, Ndoye, Balde, Seck, Sarr (Sakho 53’), Ndaw, Silah (Diatta 78’), Fall, Diop

TMCA: TChaal, Allati (Hachoud 60’), Haddad, Saadou, Brahimi, Rebiai, Harrag (Diomande 60’), Addadi (Bourdim 76’), Bensaha (Abdelhafid 84’)), Belkheir (Benaldjia 84’), Frioui.