ES Sétif Hold Off AS Vita to Clinch CAF Champions League Title
By BBC Sport Africa
Blida, Algeria
ES Sétif were crowned champions of Africa on Saturday night after holding AS Vita Club to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. The result, combined with a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Kinshasa, secured the Algerian club’s second continental title thanks to the away goals rule.
In front of a packed stadium in Blida, the Black Eagles opened the scoring shortly after half-time, only to see their lead cancelled out minutes later by a long-range strike from the Congolese side. The draw proved just enough for the hosts, who added to their 1988 title with a resilient and tactically disciplined performance.
Despite their elimination, AS Vita Club can hold their heads high. Coached by Florent Ibenge, the Congolese side pushed relentlessly throughout the match, controlling long spells of possession and pressing for a breakthrough — but ultimately fell short in front of goal.
“We tried to do the best we could by producing good play,” Ibenge told Radio France Internationale after the final whistle. “But we lacked sharpness and changes of pace in the final 20 metres. We knew Sétif was comfortable playing on the counterattack, especially with the result from the first leg. We shouldn’t have rushed into the battle.”
Sétif’s opening goal came just two minutes after the restart, with Sofiane Younès capitalising on a well-placed cross to put the hosts ahead and tilt the balance in their favour. Vita Club responded just minutes later with a thunderous effort from Lema Mabidi that left the Algerian goalkeeper with no chance — but it would prove too little, too late.
“I have to admit we were clumsier and less incisive than in the first leg,” Ibenge added. “We weren’t able to take our chances, and once the equaliser came, we knew it would go down to the final moments.”
For AS Vita, it was a painful end to what had been an outstanding continental campaign. The Kinshasa-based club defied expectations to reach the final and gave the Algerian champions a true test over two legs.
“Now we have to go back to work,” Ibenge concluded. “We can’t wait another 40 years to get here again. But I’m proud of this team — no one expected us to reach this stage.”
With the result, ES Sétif not only claim Africa’s top club prize but also earn the right to represent the continent at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco next year — the first time an Algerian club will take part in the tournament.
