CAF Champions League: MC Alger secure vital victory over Saint-Éloi Lupopo

After earning only one point through their first three matches in the CAF Champions League, Algerian champions MC Alger shot themselves back into the race for the quarterfinals with Sunday’s 2-0 Group C victory over Congolese club FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo.

 

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Encountering stubborn resistance from the visitors in a heated clash at the Stade Ali-la-Pointe in Algiers, MCA delivered an inspired second half performance for their first victory in Group C play. Goals from Marwane Khelif and Zakaria Naidji moved the hosts to within a point of second place Mamelodi Sundowns.

But it was not easy for MCA. Rulani Mokwena’s charges were held in check throughout the first half. Algeria youth international forward Moslem Anatouf had the best chance in stoppage time when he got on the end of Khelif’s cross, but a well-timed bump from a recovering Lupopo defender caused Anatouf to head off target.

The focus was better from the hosts in the second half and it was Khelif who opened the scoring. The Lupopo defense failed to mark the flank player on a Chahreddine Boukholda corner kick and Khelif powered in a header past Cameroon international goalkeeper Simon Omossola.

Lupopo showed potential to threaten MCA but lacked patience, attempting hopeful long range efforts instead of probing the hosts’ defense.

Late on, it was substitute Naidji who confirmed victory for the hosts in the 82nd minute. Omossola did well to push away a shot attempt but the rebound went right to Naidji, who fired low past the goalkeeper as he attempted to scramble back into position.

MC Alger move past Sunday’s opponents into third place and will host Group C leaders Al Hilal Omdurman at the same venue next weekend. Lupopo remain in contention in a tight group and will need to refocus for their next clash, a duel at home with Sundowns at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.

CAF Champions League: Group C Table