ALGER, Algeria (Interstat) — ES Ben Aknoun opened its Algerian Ligue 1 season with a 2-1 victory over MC Oran on Saturday at Stade du 20 Août 1955.

Forward Sidiki Mohamed Sylla powered the home side, scoring in the 12th minute and assisting on defender Abderrahmane Hachoud’s 73rd-minute winner. MC Oran’s Abderrahmane Bourdim leveled the match just before halftime with a 42nd-minute free kick.

The match featured eight yellow cards, including four in a contentious 10-minute span late in the second half. The result defied the Interstat game simulator’s projection of a draw, though its ELO system had favored Ben Aknoun with a 61.9% win probability.