Algerian side, ES Setif moved a step closer to qualification for the next round thanks to a 2-0 win over Libya’s Ahly Benghazi in their Group B clash on Friday in Tunis.
A goal in each half from El Hedi Belameiri and Sofiane Younis moved ‘Les Aigles Noirs’ four points clear at the top and in a good position to secure one of the two slots for the last four.
The Setif-based club has eight points, four more than CS Sfaxien, who squares fellow Tunisians Esperance on Saturday, 26 July 2014 in the other Group B match in Sfax.
Setif, unbeaten at this stage deployed a tactical approach relying on the counter to snatch the maximum points at the expense of their hosts, Ahly Benghazi, who were playing at the Stade Chedli Zouiten in Tunis due to the current politicial situation in Libya.
Against the run of play, the visitors went up through Belameiri following a one-two with Younis on 18 minutes. The latter profited from a loose ball before squaring Belameiri, who fired past Ahly Benghazi goalie Wissem El Boudi for the opener.
The Libyans got back into the picture but Zimbabwe-import Edward Sadomba fumbled at the opportunities that came his way.
On the half-hour mark, Sadomba intercepted a pass from defender Mellouli Farid to his goalkeeper Abderaouf Belhani and was in a good position to score. However, after rounding Belhani his goal-bound shot was cleared by Said Arrousi.
Eight minutes later, the best chance of the hosts fell to Sadomba again, who was put through by Abderrahmane Fetori, but with only the Setif goalie to beat, the Zimbabwean fired wide.
The Zimbabwean continued to threaten the visitors’ backline in the second half. On 59 minutes, he was denied by Belhani who pulled a superb save from his diving header.
Sadomba will later make way out Houssein Al Mahdy whilst burly forward Ahmed Zuway was also introduced to add some bite into the Ahly Benghazi attack.
Whilst the hosts fought tirelessly for the equalizer, it was the visitors who wrapped up victory in added-on time from a counter attack that saw Lyes Boukria cross to Younes, who headed past El Boudi to seal victory.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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