Mahious strike hands Belouizdad vital away win over Stade d’Abidjan

Aimen Mahious was the hero for CR Belouizdad as his 71st-minute goal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Stade d’Abidjan in a fiercely contested Group C clash of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Saturday.

The win propels the Algerian champions back into contention following their opening-day loss to Orlando Pirates, leaving Stade d’Abidjan rooted at the bottom of the group without a point after two games.

Belouizdad dominated early proceedings but found themselves frustrated by the resilient Ivorian side.

The first half ended goalless, with both teams failing to convert opportunities. Stade d’Abidjan goalkeeper Seydou Touré made crucial saves to keep his side in the game.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half when Mahious, well-positioned in the box, latched onto a clever pass from Abderrahmane Meziane and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, sending the Belouizdad bench into raptures.

Stade d’Abidjan fought valiantly in search of an equaliser, but their finishing let them down.

Ezechiel Zaddy came closest with a powerful shot in the 87th minute, but it flew narrowly over the crossbar.

The result lifts Belouizdad to third in Group C, just one point behind co-leaders Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates, who played out a goalless draw earlier on Saturday.

The group remains tightly contested with Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates on four points each, followed by Belouizdad on three.

Stade d’Abidjan remains winless, with their hopes of advancing hanging by a thread.