Algerian Club Fail To Exploit Home Advantage

JOHANNESBURG, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -19th Sept,2016) - Mouloudia Bejaia of Algeria had a goal disallowed and a player red-carded when held 0-0 by FUS Rabat of Morocco at the weekend in a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.

Adel Lakhdari was sent off 11 minutes from time in eastern Algeria and the goal was ruled offside in the dying seconds of the first leg. The best chance FUS had to break the deadlock came after 73 minutes with Abdessalam Benjelloun foiled by goalkeeper Chamseddine Rahmani.

Bejaia and FUS meet again next Sunday in Morocco with a place in the final against title-holders Etoile Sahel of Tunisia or TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo up for grabs. A draw in Bejaia was predictable as two of the four previous Mouloudia home matches in the African equivalent of the Europa League also ended goalless.

FUS, shock 2010 CAF Confederation Cup winners, drew four of six away games en route to the penultimate stage. Lack of goals has been a constant headache for Bejaia coach and former Algeria defender Nacer Sandjak with his team scoring just three in nine Confederation Cup outings.

FUS are seeking a second Confederation Cup success just months after winning the Moroccan title for the first time. Etoile and Mazembe, who have won nine CAF titles each, drew 1-1 in Mediterranean resort Sousse with Hamza Lahmar putting the hosts ahead and Ivorian Roger Assale equalising.

Tunisian and Moroccan clubs have dominated the 12-year-old Confederation Cup, winning five and three finals respectively.