L’USMA réussit son entrée en scène – Le Jeune Indépendant

USMA got off to a good start in its group stage of the CAF Cup by beating the Ivorian team of San Pedro (3-2) this Sunday at the 5 Juillet stadium in Algiers. The USM Alger players threw themselves into the match from the start of the game, pushing against the Ivorian players from San Pedro in their own camp with the aim of opening the score.

Khaldi, Ghacha and Draoui increased their offensive actions, remarkably pressing the San Pedro defense which managed to clear as best it could. We were playing the 17th minute when the Ivorian defender Capo returned a ball which fell at the feet of Ghacha. The latter unleashes a powerful shot and deceives the vigilance of the excellent goalkeeper Kipré. And it’s the opener for the Usmists (17′).

The domination of the Rouge et Noir was therefore well rewarded by this opening score in front of this modest team from San Pedro. Subsequently, coach Benchikha’s players continued their strong pressure in the opposing camp, but opposite, the ultra defensive play of the Ivorians did not allow them to add a second goal, despite the fact that they created a lot of scoring opportunities.

Moreover, Redouani really had the second goal at the end of his foot, but the player missed this offensive action (35′). The defensive regrouping of coach Vincent Espié’s players worked well against USMA players who really lacked the lucidity and self-control to double the lead. And this is how half-time was whistled by Rwandan referee Uwikunda, with this short advantage of one goal to zero for the benefit of USMA.

Coach Benchikha will surely have to lecture his players during this half, he who, moreover, did not stop directing his players during this half. In the second half, the Rouge et Noir came back with the same determination to make it happen. They pressure the Ivorian players by increasing the rushes. And we had to wait until game time to see the realization of this domination with this second goal from Alilet. The Usmists breathe and gain confidence. But the Ivorians revolted by storming the Usmists camp and managed to reduce the score through Kamagate (65′).

The USMA players then went squarely in the San Pedro camp, pressing hard until the 81st minute of the game when Redouani tripled the score. And far from being discouraged, the Ivorian players reacted and in turn moved squarely into the Usmist camp by increasing their attacks. We were playing added time when Mathieu Amon scored his team’s 2nd goal (97′). This is how USMA won in this first match of the group stage of the CAF Cup to occupy first place in its group “A”, thanks to its best goal average, since in the other match of the group, Olympique Safi (Morocco) won on the road against the Malian club Djoliba (0-1), following the goal scored by Erraouli (29′). Thus, an appointment is made for the next shock “Maghrebi” match of this group, between USMA and O Safi, on behalf of the second day of this competition which is scheduled for November 28 in a location which has not yet been determined by the person responsible in Morocco.