Stade Malien maintained their grip on top spot in Group D of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after grinding out a goalless draw against Petro Atletico in a tense Matchday 4 clash on Saturday.
Played at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, the encounter lacked goals but carried significant weight, with both sides aware that any slip at this stage of the group phase could be costly in the race for the quarter-finals.
Petro Atletico showed early ambition in front of their home fans, pressing aggressively and attempting to assert their physical presence. Stade Malien, however, remained disciplined and compact, opting for a cautious approach while waiting for opportunities to break on the counter.
Clear-cut chances were scarce in a tightly contested first half, where midfield duels and organised defending dictated the tempo of the game.
The defining moment came in the 79th minute when Petro Atletico were awarded a penalty following sustained pressure inside Stade Malien’s area. Benny had the chance to deliver a crucial home victory, but the Portuguese forward squandered the opportunity, dragging his effort wide.
Buoyed by the miss, the home supporters urged their side forward as Petro Atletico intensified the search for a late breakthrough. Despite the pressure, Stade Malien’s defence stood resolute, dealing comfortably with a series of deliveries into the box and limiting their goalkeeper’s involvement.
Both coaches introduced fresh legs in the second half to inject urgency, but neither side managed to find the decisive touch in the final third.
The draw lifts Stade Malien to eight points after four matches, keeping them firmly at the top of Group D at the halfway stage of the campaign.
Petro Atletico move to five points and sit third, level with ES Tunis, who face Simba SC on Sunday to complete the round.
With two group matches remaining, the battle for qualification remains wide open, but Stade Malien’s composure and resilience on the road have left them well placed to advance.
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stade Malien | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 8 |
| ES Tunis | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 5 |
| Petro Luanda | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 5 |
| Simba SC | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
