MC Alger stage remarkable comeback, on the verge of clinching title

MC Alger scored twice in second half stoppage time to secure 3-2 victory at ES Ben Aknoun on Tuesday, moving the reigning champions in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Mobilis to within a step of successfully defending their title.

Mohamed Bangoura set up Soufiane Bayazid for the winning goal in the final moments of the match, only a few minutes after Zineddine Ferhat pulled MCA level in the opening minute of stoppage time.

ES Ben Aknoun, who have enjoyed a remarkable campaign in only their second season of top flight football, got off to a perfect start in the opening quarter hour. Chems Lakehal got on the end of a free kick and his header was too powerful for goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane.

Ferhat leveled the match early in the second half but a rapid response restored the lead for ESBA when Adil Djabout finished from a low cross in the 57th minute.

A frantic conclusion to the match saw the reigning champions throw all of their numbers forward and Ferhat leveled the match when his long range effort snuck past ESBA goalkeeper Kheireddine Boussouf at his near post.

 

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Ramdane’s long ball was then knocked down by Bangoura for fellow substitute Bayazid to finish low and secure all three points.

MC Alger now lead closest challengers JS Saoura by eleven points with only four rounds remaining. CR Belouizdad, who have four games in hand due to their duties in the CAF Confederation Cup, would need to close a twenty-point gap to move level with their Algiers rivals.

MCA are on the verge of a third consecutive title in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Mobilis, and they will host Olympique Akbou next Tuesday.

League Table: MC Alger almost beyond reach