CAF Confederation cup: Monastir Mark Group Stage Debut With Win Over Yanga

US Monastir won their first group stage game of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation cup against Young Africans Sports Club on Sunday.

Union Sportive Monastirienne had a successful start to the group stage of the Confederation Cup after beating Tanzania’s Young Africans (2-0) on Sunday in Radès, in the opening group D game.

For their maiden participation in the group phase of a continental competition, Monastir took up their first challenge with swag and finished in ecstatic mode.

The men of coach Serbian Darko Novic started the game well by exerting high pressure on their opponents, resulting to a corner which defender Mohamed Saghraoui placed his header in the net of Djigui Diarra for the opener, at the 10th. minute

Showing a lot of concentration and tactical discipline, the Tunisian representatives missed some big opportunities to double the lead, notably from Youssouf Oumarou whose shot was blocked by the goalkeeper at the 14th minute.

Two minutes later, Boubacar Traore took advantage of a corner from Heykel Chikhaoui and climbed higher than everyone to double the score with a 16th minute header.

Facing a well-organized Monastir team defensively, the Tanzanians led by Fiston Kalala could not find an inroad in Monastir’s backline, despite a few attempts saved by goalkeeper Béchir Ben Said.

One minute upon the resumption of the second half, Yanga started well, and almost reduced the score following a strike from Fiston Kalala but Ben Said was vigilant.

Said was tested again at the 59th minute following a direct free kick from Stéphane Aziz Ki.

Despite a slight domination of the champions of Tanzania, more enterprising offensively, Monastir created for themselves a few opportunities, through Boubacar Traore and Youssouf Oumarou all saved by Diarra.

The Young Africans team, had a last chance and it fell for Fiston.
It was missed with 7 minutes to the end.

The US Monastir coach made three changes by aligning Bassam Dali, Salah Harrabi and Ameur Omrani in place of Mohamed Amine Bouzayène, Heykel Chikhaoui and Boubbacar Traore.

Finally, the Tunisian representatives saw the game out and moved temporarily to the top of group D with TP Mazembe, pending a trip to Bamako on February 19 for match day 2.