Captain Badreddine Souyad scored a stunning header with three minutes of regulation time left as Algeria’s JS Kabylie beat defending champions Wydad Athletic Club 1-0 in Algiers to move top of Group A in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The game looked to be heading to a draw, but Souyad dived in to score a bullet header from a Kouceila Boualia corner and send the home side to four points and top of the group.
This was Wydad’s first match of the group phase as they didn’t play last weekend due to their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Moroccans camped in the Kabylie box for the final five minutes of the game, but they couldn’t grab at least a draw on the road.
Kabylie had the most chances throughout the game and was rewarded for their industry, especially on the offensive end.
In the opening half, they only had 40 per cent of ball possession, but with that had two close chances at goal.
Noufel Ould Hamou had a shot on his outer foot fly straight to the keeper’s arms, while Sofiane Guenina also had an effort from distance saved by the Wydad custodian.
In the second half, they had more chances, with Dadi Mouaki and Hamou combining twice. On the first instance, Hamou’s shot from a Mouaki tee was saved by the keeper while in the second, he shot over one on one with the keeper.
Kabylie kept their hunt, keeping the faith, and would be rewarded just three minutes to time, skipper Souyad diving in at the back post to send a scorching header into the back of the net.
Wydad will not head back to the drawing board to get their acts clean before facing off with Petro de Luanda in Casablanca next weekend.
The Algerian side will be away to AS Vital Club of DR Congo.
