Algeria Ligue 1: MC Alger return to winning ways

Reigning Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle champions MC Alger bounced back with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday against ES Ben Aknoun.

Central defender Ayoub Ghezala converted from the penalty spot early in the second half for the only goal of the match. Coach Rulani Mokwena’s men are now six points clear at the top of the table after recovering from their first defeat of the season at MB Rouissat last Thursday.

With a couple of star players at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, MCA utilized an all-Algerian lineup for the match but did not have it easy against the visitors. Both goalkeepers were called into action in the opening twenty minutes before the match settled into an uneventful spell until halftime.

But after starting strong in the second half, hosts MCA got their golden opportunity after Oussama Benhaoua was tripped in the ESBA penalty area in the 50th minute. After a VAR review confirmed the foul, Ghezala produced a composed spot kick to send ESBA goalkeeper Kheireddine Boussouf diving in the wrong direction.

ESBA, newly promoted to Ligue 1 this season, did respond with a couple of opportunities but MCA keeper Abdelatif Ramdane handled a strong long range effort before closing down another opportunity soon after as MCA held on for the victory.

MCA, well ahead of the pack, will return to action next Monday when they host ES Setif.

Algeria Ligue 1 Table (Top-8)