Ten-Man CS Constantine Clinches Dramatic Victory Over JS Kabylie
In a match brimming with intensity and controversy, CS Constantine secured a hard-fought 1-0 home victory against rivals JS Kabylie, despite playing the majority of the game with only ten men. The hero of the hour was Nassim L’Ghoul, whose moment of ingenuity proved the difference in a fiercely contested Algerian Ligue 1 encounter.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half set the stage for a classic. From the opening whistle, Nassim L’Ghoul was a constant menace for the CSC attack, forcing JS Kabylie’s goalkeeper, Hadid, into two spectacular early saves from powerful long-range strikes. Against the run of this early pressure, JSK began to dominate possession, but their finishing let them down. A critical one-on-one opportunity for Akhrib was squandered as Bouhalfaya stood firm in the Constantine goal.
The match’s momentum shifted dramatically following a contentious period of play near the Constantine penalty area. First, JSK’s Mahious appeared to be fouled by Messala Merbah, but the referee waved play on. Moments later, Akhrib was pushed by Meddahi at the edge of the box, a challenge that resulted in a straight red card for the CSC defender, who was adjudged to be the last man.
Resilience and a Flash of Brilliance
Reduced to ten men, CS Constantine displayed remarkable resilience in the second half. JS Kabylie, now with a numerical advantage, pressed for an opening. Merghem tested Bouhalfaya with a thunderous shot, while Nechat saw his effort whistle just wide of the post. In a moment that defied belief, an offside Akhrib somehow managed to miss an open goal, summing up a frustrating night for the visitors.
Just after the hour mark, the ten men found their breakthrough. A headed pass from Bensayah found L’Ghoul in the box. In what seemed almost an accidental flick of genius, the forward used the outside of his right foot to guide the ball past a stranded Hadid, sending the home crowd into a frenzy in the 62nd minute.
Late Drama and Unanswered Questions
JSK threw everything forward in the final stages. Messaoudi’s acrobatic overhead kick required a superb tip-over from the ever-alert Bouhalfaya, who later stood tall to deny Mahious in another one-on-one situation. However, the match ended with a cloud of controversy hanging over it. JS Kabylie players and staff were left incensed by two late, uncalled incidents: an apparent handball by a CSC defender inside his own box and a heavy challenge from goalkeeper Bouhalfaya on Bott that went unpunished.
This crucial victory sees CS Constantine draw level with JS Kabylie on 15 points in the league standings, a testament to their gritty performance. The Tizi Ouzou club, however, still holds the advantage of two games in hand. For now, CSC celebrates a win defined by sheer determination and a single, magical touch from Nassim L’Ghoul.
Source: Original match report from the Algerian Ligue 1.