CAFCL: JS Kabylie disappoint in draw with Young Africans

Tanzanian champions Young Africans did well to claim a point off JS Kabylie in Algeria on Friday with a 0-0 result in their CAF Champions League (CAFCL) clash from Group B.

After a lopsided defeat in their Group B opener at Al Ahly, the Algerian club hoped to bounce back at home in front of vocal home support in Tizi Ouzou. However, coach Josef Zinnbauer’s team failed to impress in a match where a draw was a fair result.

Visitors Yanga did not take a negative approach and a strong start allowed them to adapt to the hostile environment. JSK goalkeeper Mohamed Hadid was called to duty early on to push away a free kick strike on target.

As for the hosts, defender and captain Zineddine Belaid had the best chance when his header went off the crossbar soon after the quarter hour mark. Poor execution in the final third characterized the first half for JSK, who failed to provide moments of stress for Yanga goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

After a scoreless first half, the second half was even less eventful and JS Kabylie did not show enough urgency until stoppage time. A series of set piece opportunities climaxed with a spectacular double save from Diarra to preserve the point for the visitors to give them four points from their two matches so far in the group.

Group B action will resume in the new year in late January. JS Kabylie will need a victory when they host Moroccan club AS FAR while Yanga will look for another strong performance away from home when they travel to face group favorites Al Ahly in Egypt.