Kheireddine Merzougui misses penalty as CR Belouizdad force Etoile Sportive du Sahel to goalless draw in Caf Champions League opener
CR Belouizdad forced Etoile Sportive du Sahel to goalless draw in Caf Champions League Group Stage opener on Friday afternoon. The performance which took Etoile by surprise were enough for the Algerian side to avoid defeat in Tunisia.
Etoile Sportive du Sahel welcomed CR Belouizdad to Stade Olympique de Rades with boss Roger Lemerre naming a strong starting XI against the Algerian champions.
Experience goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi, 37, was named in posts while Ghedamsi, Naouali, Laouafi, Kayramani, Baayou, Zaddem, Amri, Coulibaly and Msakni all started for the home giants.
CR Belouizdad manager Marcos Paquetá opted for a 5-4-1 formation in attempt to prevent the hosts from winning the day. Paquetá’s men got the job done after sitting deep right from start of the game as Etoile du Sahel breake their defense.
Both teams were impressive with Etoile Sportive du Sahel creating some decent chances but failed to convert them. The Algerian outfit relied on counter and delight to watch in some instances.
CR Belouizdad had the best of chance to pick all three points after been awarded a stoppage time penalty. However, Kheireddine Merzougui missed from the six yard with Etoile goalkeeper Mathlouthi saving the kick at the right posts.
Merzougi finished as the top scorer of the 2014–15 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 with 17 goals for RC Relizane.
CR Belouizdad have a point on top of Group C, Etoile follow as former champions Esperance de Tunis and Jwaneng Galaxy facing off in the other fixture tomorrow afternoon. The Botswana side play away in Tunis.
