CAF Champions League: JS Kabylie crushes US Monastir 

JS Kabylie produced a commanding performance in Sfax on Friday, dismantling US Monastir 3-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round to take a major step toward qualification for the group stage.

The Algerian giants, appearing full of confidence and tactical control, were in no mood for hesitation as they overpowered their Tunisian opponents at the Taieb Mhiri Stadium.

Despite a balanced opening period, the visitors took control after the interval and punished Monastir with ruthless efficiency.

The breakthrough came shortly after the restart. In the 49th minute, Mehdi Merghem opened the scoring following a slick collective move.

Latching onto a precise cross from Mohamed Réda Hamidi, the winger slipped past the Monastir defense before unleashing a powerful strike into the top left corner of Abdessalem Hallaoui’s goal.

With the home side struggling to regroup, JS Kabylie maintained their pressure and doubled their advantage just after the hour mark.

BUUUUUUT DE MEHDI MERGHEM CONTRE L’US MONASTIR ! 🌍⚽️

🇩🇿 JSK 1 – 0 🇹🇳 USMpic.twitter.com/oSoAL83vKs

— ⭐️ Squadra Khadra 🇩🇿 (@Squadra213) October 17, 2025

A swift counterattack saw Aimen Lahmeri deliver a well-weighted pass to Lahlou Akhrib, who made no mistake in beating Hallaoui from close range to make it 2-0 in the 64th minute.

As the Tunisian side pushed forward in desperation, they left spaces at the back — and Kabylie capitalised once more before the final whistle.

In the 89th minute, Babacar Sarr completed the rout, calmly finishing off another precise attacking move to seal a resounding 3-0 victory for the Canaries.

The result leaves US Monastir with an uphill battle ahead of the return leg in Algeria, where JS Kabylie will have home advantage in Tizi Ouzou.

To stand any chance of progressing, the Tunisians will need nothing short of a miracle to overturn the three-goal deficit against one of North Africa’s most experienced continental campaigners.

For Kabylie, the performance reflected their growing confidence under pressure and their ability to manage games with maturity.

Their defensive organisation remained intact throughout, while their attacking transitions exposed Monastir’s vulnerabilities time and again.

The Algerian club now finds itself on the verge of returning to the CAF Champions League group stage, a competition it knows well and where it has often represented the nation with distinction.

With one foot already in the next round, JSK’s focus will shift to maintaining composure and finishing the job at home next week.

ISWIIIIIIII pour la JSK
Babacar Sarr inscrit le troisième but de la JSK en Tunisie face au Monastir.
Magnifique match des Canaris aujourd’hui pic.twitter.com/sWSXVFX4kz

— Chebli Ishaq (@IshaqChebli) October 17, 2025