Setif secure valuable away draw

ES Setif will take an advantage into their home leg of the CAF African Champions League final after the Algerian club secured a 2-2 draw in Kinshasa against AS Vita Club. An impressive performance by the 1988 African champions, who will know that even a scoreless or 1-1 draw in the second leg would be enough after scoring two away goals. The winner of the competition will represent Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco later this year.

 A capacity crowd of 50,000 at the Stade Tata Raphael, in which George Foreman and Muhammad Ali fought for the heavyweight crown of the world in the so-called Rumble in the Jungle 40 years ago, saw an enthralling match in Kinshasa. Les Dauphins Noirs started stronger, made nothing of their early dominance and had to do everything to avoid their first home defeat since 2012. Ironically it was Vita’s NdombeMubele, joint-top scorer in the competition, who beat his own goalkeeper in the 17th minutes to give Setif the lead.

Not surprisingly, Setif then tried to slow the tempo down as Vita threw players forward in search of an equaliser. However, it was Setif that nearly grabbed a second as AbdelghaniDemou saw his long-range effort well saved. The home side were handed a life-line late in the first half when Mohamed Lagraa was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball, and LemaMabidi made no mistake from the spot, levelling matters. Vita continued pushing forward after the half-time but again struggled to find the breakthrough. They came close when Mubele unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but Setif goalkeeper SofianeKhedairia did well to turn the ball against the crossbar.

Against the run of play Setif took the lead again on the hour with a brilliantly executed counter-attack as AkramDjahnit played a one-two with AbdelmalikZiaya before scoring after going around the Vita goalkeeper. That left Vita again fighting to come from behind, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 77th minute after Setif failed to clear a corner and Mabidi scored with a ferocious shot from outside the area. The 2-2 result leaves the tie open, but Vita will be fighting up hill in their quest for a first African title in 40 years.

Moment of the game

Vita scored an equaliser in the dying moments of the first half and went into the break full of confidence after coming back against their opponents. After the break they looked the stronger side as they pushed forward in search of another goal. But instead of going ahead, they found themselves behind in the 56th minute when Djahnit scored following a text-book counter from the Algerians. Although Vita levelled again, ES Setif will go into the return leg knowing that even a low-scoring draw will give them their second African crown.

 What they said

“This result puts us in a good position before the second leg. The players are aware they will not only be representing the colours of ESS, but also those of Algeria, which will make them more determined,” ES Setif coach KheireddineMadoui.

Player of the game

Vita Club fans have one player to thank that they will go into next week’s return leg in Algeria with a chance. Twice ES Setif took the lead on Saturday and twice LemaMabidi brought his team back into the game with goals. The defender scored his first in the game three minutes into first-half injury time from the spot and then added a second in the 74th minute with an absolute scorcher from well outside the area that gave goalkeeper Khedairia no chance as it flew into the top left corner.

M.D