Algeria: Early second half surge hands victory to MC Alger

MC Alger continued to break away from the pack after Monday’s 2-0 victory over ES Sétif in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle.

After a scoreless first half, former Algeria international attacker Zinedine Ferhat put the hosts ahead inside three minutes after the break. Guinean striker Mohamed Bangoura put MC Alger beyond reach with a penalty kick soon after before the hour mark.

ESS did well to create a couple of opportunities while limiting their hosts to half chances. A timely intervention from MCA right back Mohamed Halaimia prevented Gibril Sillah from the giving the visitors the lead in the 20th minute.

But Micho Sredojevic’s ESS lost the plot after halftime. Ferhat collected a cross from the left wing and his low shot beat goalkeeper Tarek Bousseder before Houari Ferhani’s attempt at a goal line clearance went into his goal.

And it only got worse when minutes later, MCA defender Ayoub Ghezala was dragged down in the penalty area as he attempted to get on the end of Ferhat’s corner kick service. A penalty kick was awarded and Bangoura fired in his second goal of the season from the spot.

The defending champions and current leaders maintained their lead for the remainder of the match, with ESS being reduced to ten players following Mohamed Benlebna’s red card in the final minutes.

 

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MC Alger are now eight points clear of closest contenders USM Alger before their next match, a difficult test at JS Kabylie on Friday. In other action from Monday, third place MC Oran held CR Belouizdad to a 0-0 draw. While MCA have games in hand on the teams below them, only three points separates second place USMA from eighth place ES Ben Aknoun.