Three matches were on today's program for Matchday 3 of the CAF CL group phase. In Pool D, the matches between Al-Ahly-Bélouizdad and Medeama-Young Africans ended in 1-1 draws. In the Pool C clash, ES Sahel beat Al-Hilal to take their first 3 points.
Poule C: ES Sahel pick up their first 3 points
ES Sahel edged out Al Hilal Ondurman 1-0 on Matchday 3 of the CAF LDC. The winning goal came in the 88th minute. The first half between ES Sahel and visitors Al-Hilal was a lively affair. The two teams gave blow for blow. But the score remained locked at (0-0). ES Sahel had slightly more possession (56%). In terms of shots, too, the 2 teams were fairly close: ES Sahel attempted 6 shots and hit the target on 3 of them. Sudan's Al-Hilal Omdurman had 10 shots, 3 of which were on target.
The score remained unchanged for much of the second half, until Jacques Amour Tagnouo Mbé scored the winning goal (88th). Al-Hilal, however, had dominated the second half with more chances (9 shots, 1 on target). ES Sahel, heckled during the second half, took just 3 shots and scored on their only attempt on target.
With their home victory in the CAF CL, ES Sahel secured their first 3 points but still occupy last place in Pool C, tied on points with ES Tunis (3rd, 3 pts+0). Their opponents Al-Hilal remain provisionally in 2nd place (3 points), pending the outcome of the meeting between ES Tunis and Petro Luanda, the current group leaders with 6 points, on Saturday December 9.
Group D: CR Bélouizdad hold off Al-Ahly
Al Ahly failed to get the better of CR Bélouizdad on Matchday 3 of the CAF LDC group stage. The final score was 1-1.Al Ahly dominated proceedings in the 1st half, but were unable to find a way through against the well-organized Algerians of CR Bélouizdad.The Egyptians took 6 shots on goal, with a total of 2 on target, while the Algerians failed to hit the target on 3 attempts.As usual, Percy Tau's team-mates controlled the ball (62%).
Al Ahly also dominated possession in the second half. However, they were never able to get the better of the Algerian organization.As proof of this, the Egyptians failed to get a single shot on target in the second half, with only 3 attempts on target. CR Bélouizdad, with better intentions in the 2nd half, also failed to hit the target on 6 attempts.Logically, possession at the end of the match was in Al Ahly's favor (61%) against (39%) for CR Bélouizdad, in a match that was very tight and lacking in chances.
Medeama and Young Africans play draw
At the same time, Medeama also drew 1-1 with Young Africans. Medeama opened the scoring on home soil through Jonathan Sowah's 27th-minute penalty, although the match had been evenly balanced up to that point, if not slightly dominated by the visitors. But Young Africans pulled a goal back in the 36th minute, thanks to Ivorian Pacôme Zouzoua. A logical scoreline at half-time, given the match statistics. The Ghanaians had 49% possession, 3 shots, 1 of which was on target. The Tanzanian Young Africans had the ball 53% of the time, attempted 6 shots and hit the target 2 times.
The second half was a photocopy of the first. Medeama attempted 6 shots, with 0 on target.Young Africans attempted 7 shots, with 4 on target. At the end of the match, possession was more or less equivalent over the whole game, with 50% for each team.The draw is a logical result, if not a cause for regret for Young Africans, who had more chances. With these 2 draws in Pool D, the standings remain unchanged. Al Ahly remain leaders with (5 pts), while CR Bélouizdad are still 2nd with (4 pts+2). Medeama have the same number of points and occupy 3rd place (4 pts-2). Young Africans close the gap with (2 pts).
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Medeama SC 1-1 Young Africans SC#TimuYaWananchi #DaimaMbeleNyumaMwiko pic.twitter.com/S8Vw5T55Pg
— Young Africans SC (@YoungAfricansSC) December 8, 2023
