MO Béjaïa Sink JS Kabylie to Go Top of Algerian Ligue 1
MO Béjaïa produced a stirring comeback to claim a 3-1 victory over JS Kabylie on Friday, in a fiercely contested Kabyle derby as part of the 11th matchday of the Algerian Ligue 1 season.
The visitors were stunned early on when Youcef Khodja put JS Kabylie ahead in the 4th minute, seizing on a lapse in concentration to give the Canaries a dream start. But the lead was short-lived.
MO Béjaïa responded in clinical fashion. Sofiane Messaoudi levelled the scores just five minutes later with a well-placed strike in the 9th minute, before striker Mohamed Yaya turned the tide with a powerful effort in the 23rd minute to make it 2-1.
Despite a spirited effort from JSK, MO Béjaïa continued to control the pace of the match. The final blow came in the 69th minute when Mohamed Hamzaoui capitalised on a defensive error to net the third goal for the Crabs, sealing an emphatic win.
The result sends MO Béjaïa to the top of the league standings, at least temporarily, with 20 points. Their attacking efficiency and defensive discipline on the night reflect a side growing in confidence as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, JS Kabylie — a club still emotionally tied to the memory of former striker Albert Ebossé — drops to seventh place with 14 points. The team will need to regroup quickly if they are to remain in contention for a top-four finish.
The derby, always a heated affair between two historic Kabyle sides, lived up to expectations with its early drama and passionate intensity. But in the end, it was Béjaïa who emerged with bragging rights and a potential platform for a title challenge.
