Merrikh edge out Belouizdad to secure first Group D victory

Paulo de Souza’s first half penalty was all Al Merrikh needed as they punched their first Group D victory in the TotalEnergies 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.

Belouizdad piled in the pressure seeking to get back into the game. They thought their efforts had finally paid off at the stroke of 90 minutes when Emmanuel Iwuala struck home from inside the box, but the ball was pulled back on a foul in the build up.

Merrikh had a late chance to put the cherry on the cake with a late freekick, but Ramadan Agab saw his effort saved by the keeper.