A stoppage time goal saw Congolese outfit Saint-Eloi Lupopo secure a slender 1-0 victory over MC Alger in the third round of the CAF Champions League group-stage encounter on Sunday.
Consequently, the first half of the highly competitive clash held at the Stade du TP Mazembe in DR Congo ended in a pulsating goalless draw, with both teams struggling to find the back of the net.
Prior to this match, both teams had recorded one win and one defeat from the initial two games in Group C of the continental competition. Saint-Eloi Lupopo finished the stronger of the two teams and found the match-winner deep into stoppage time, courtesy of a strike from Michael Kimputu.
Both teams were cruising to a goalless draw until the DR Congo international converted perfectly from the spot to secure maximum points for Saint-Eloi Lupopo, a result that boosts their confidence and strengthens their position in the group.
The narrow win underlined Lupopo’s defensive solidity and tactical discipline, while MC Alger were left to rue missed opportunities as they turn their attention to their next fixture.
Saint-Eloi Lupopo have now positioned themselves well in their group after three matches. The Congolese outfit have moved to the third spot, one point behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal, who occupies first and second spots in Group C with five points, while the Algerian giants’ remains bottom with just a point.
MC Alger have yet to record a single with in their group, losing two and drawing one, undermining their chances of securing a spot in the knockout stage of the competition.
