ALTAMURA, Italy (Interstat) — A late first-half equalizer from Chec Doumbia ensured Team Altamura and Audace Cerignola split the points in a 1-1 draw in Serie C play Sunday at Stadio Comunale Tonino d’Angelo.

The match, an early-season fixture in Italy’s third division, played out largely as projected by Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast the identical scoreline. The result left both clubs still searching for their first victory of the 2025-26 campaign across all competitions.

Audace Cerignola, which the same statistical service had given a narrow 51.60 percent probability to win, started brightly and were rewarded with an early lead. In the 10th minute, forward Ludovico D’Orazio found the breakthrough, putting the visiting side ahead and silencing the home supporters.

Cerignola managed to protect that advantage through much of the opening half, controlling periods of play and frustrating the Altamura attack. The home side struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Cerignola defense as the clock ticked toward halftime.

The momentum of the match shifted decisively in stoppage time of the first period. Just as the opening half appeared set to conclude with the visitors ahead, Altamura’s Chec Doumbia struck. In the second minute of added time, Doumbia leveled the score, sending the teams into the interval tied 1-1 and reigniting the atmosphere in the stadium.

The second half failed to produce a winning goal, with both teams showing caution and the match becoming increasingly fragmented. Neither side could establish sustained pressure or carve out a decisive opportunity, leading to a stalemate in the final 45 minutes.

The draw represents a solid, if unspectacular, start for both clubs in Serie C. Each team now holds an identical record in the league competition: zero wins, zero losses, and one draw. Their overall records across all tournaments this season are also mirrored at one draw apiece with no victories or defeats.

For Audace Cerignola, the away point will be viewed as acceptable, especially after surrendering a lead so close to halftime. The early goal from D’Orazio provided a foundation, but the inability to see out the half will be a point of contention.

Team Altamura, meanwhile, will take encouragement from the resilience shown to fight back before the break. The response to going down early, capped by Doumbia’s crucial intervention, salvaged a result from a match that threatened to slip away from them in the first half.

The fixture, contested on Dec. 14, 2025, serves as an early benchmark for both sides as they navigate the long Serie C season. With the points shared, each team adds one to their league total as they prepare for their next respective challenges.