Algeria Ligue 1: MC Alger continue to falter

A draining CAF Champions League defeat to Orlando Pirates is now affecting MC Alger’s push to defend their title in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle after MCA fell to midtable side Olympique Akbou on Tuesday. It was MCA’s first league defeat since late November when they fell to fellow title chasers CR Belouizdad.

With the match level through the opening seventy minutes, a controversial penalty kick was the difference and caused a meltdown from the MC Alger team. OA forward Mohamed Amine Gherbi went down under a challenge from MCA captain Ayoub Abdellaoui and the referee pointed to the spot, setting up Abdelhak Askar to fire in the match winner.

Abdellaoui did not let go! The captain led his team to a descent into madness, receiving his marching orders in the 83rd minute. MCA made a furious push to equalize in the final moments but luck was not on their side.

MCA remain at the top of the Ligue 1 table but miss out on a big opportunity to extend their lead over closest rivals CR Belouizdad. With one match in hand on CRB, the leaders have a one point lead and little time before another match away from home on Saturday at US Biskra.