Algeria’s MC Eulma bowed out with some pride after sharing honours with fellows and holders ES Setif in a four-goal thriller on Friday in Setif.
Appearing to save their best for the last game, the debutants snatched a late equalizer to earn their first point of the campaign. What a way to bid farewell for a club that had suffered defeats in their previous five games and have remained at the bottom of Group B from the start.
With the encounter serving academic purpose, it was Eulma who finished the game prouder, returning to their base with a point.
It was better late than never for the Eulma-based club, who led at half time courtesy a Nathir Korichi 11th minute strike to silence the deafening home crowd in the northeastern Algerian city of Setif.
Earlier, the homers had the first chance at goal after a Zahir Nemdil back-heel found Issam Baouz, who shot at goal only for the post to deny him.
Few minutes to the break, Eulma goalie Mohamed Mokrani made two superb saves in less than a minute stopping goal bounds shot from El Hedi Belameiri and Baouz.
The hosts resumed stronger and Belameiri drew level on 61 minutes. After controlling a pass from the middle, the France-born midfielder beat his marker before letting in a shot that deflected off Mokhtar Belkhither into the net.
Substitute Eudes Dagoulou shot Setif into the lead for the first time on 78 minutes with bullet strike from a Mohamed Benyettou pass from the left that left Mokrani with no option.
Four minutes later, Benyettou was unlucky to get his name on the score sheet, after rounding off Mokrani only for Nassim Oussalah to prevent the ball from going into the net with a timely clearance.
On 89 minutes, Abdelmalek Abbes scored the equalizer with a curling shot that beat Setif goalie Abderraouf Belhani.
Eulma finished bottom of Group with a point from six games and Setif above them on five points. Fellows USM Algers sit atop of the standings with 15 points and Sudanese El Merreikh in that order on 13 points.
Source: CAF
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate