BENGHAZI, Libya – Paulo de Souza’s first-half penalty was all Al-Merrikh of Sudan needed as they punched their first Group D victory in the CAF Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Algeria’s CR Belouizdad at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Libya.
The victory saw Merrikh move to second in the group with four points, skipping above the Algerians who have now lost back to back matches after last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Esperance.
The Sudanese side had most of the chances in the opening half. De Souza scored the opening and solo goal of the match in the 32nd minute from the penalty spot, taking responsibility himself after he had been appended by Belouizdad keeper Alexis Guendouz.
Before that, Merrikh had some chances with Matheus Bossa’s freekick tipped over the bar by the keeper while Alex da Silva had a rasping shot from the right go just wide after a good counter attacking play from the hosts.
The closest the Algerians got on goal was in the 20th minute when Leonel Wamba took a shot on the half volley from distance, but the keeper was equal to the task.
In the second-half, it was the Sudanese who had the best chances with De Souza and Hussein Al Gozzoli striking curling shots inches wide.
Wydad holds nerve for 1st win of group stages
Defending champions Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco held their nerve to edge out Angola’s Petro de Luanda by a solitary goal in Casablanca and notch their first victory in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
Wydad had started their campaign with defeat away to Algeria’s JS Kabilye, but skipper Yahya Jabrane’s 34th minute penalty was the difference at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca.
The result sends them to third in Group A with three points while hitherto unbeaten Petro remain second on four points from a win and a draw.
Jabrane scored with a well taken penalty drilled straight through the middle after Pedro Francisco brought down Mohamed Ounajem inside the area.
Before that, both sides had chances, with Tiago Azulao twice coming close for Petr with shots which drilled wide.
For Wydad, Attiyat Allah came close with a shot dragged wide from the edge of the area.
In the second-half, Petro piled down pressure on Wydad, especially trying to use set pieces but the home side held on to defend well.
On the other end, Wydad made offensive changes to try and keep the score within good distance, but none of the two sides could notch a goal.
Hilal comes from behind to snatch victory
Glody Makabi Lilepo scored twice in the second half as Sudanese side Al-Hilal turned the tables on Cameroon’s Cotonsport in Garoua, coming from a goal down to win 2-1.
The victory, Hilal’s second consecutive in Group B, moved them to second place on six points, same as leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Cotonsport meanwhile remain winless and bottom of the table after back to back losses at home.
The two sides were off to a cautious start, but Hilal was the first to knock on the door with David Sandan’s shot in the eighth minute coming off the woodwork.
Pushed on by the home crowd, Cotonsport pushed in to get a goal and put their campaign back on track.
Their efforts finally bore fruit two minutes to the break, Patient Gouegoue Wassou shooting them into the lead.
But, Hilal came back in the second half with a will to push through for an equalizer and a possible winner and they did get that seven minutes after the restart through Lilepo.
Five minutes later, he completed a brace with the second with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Hilal thought they had their third in the 63rd minute, but Mohamed Abdel Rahman’s goal was flagged down for offside.
Cotonsport put in the effort to try get back into contention, but Hilal defended with heart.
