CHLEF, Algeria (Interstat) — Defying a statistical projection that favored the visitors, ASO Chlef opened its Algerian Ligue 1 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Oued Akbou on Friday at Stade Mohamed Boumezrag.

The match, a tightly contested affair marked by disciplined defending and a flurry of second-half cautions, was decided by a first-half goal from defender Abdelhak Debbari. The result immediately separated the two sides in the early season table, giving Chlef a winning start while handing Oued Akbou a defeat.

Interstat’s pregame metrics had forecast a different outcome, simulating an Oued Akbou victory by a 1-0 scoreline. Their Elo rating system, however, gave Chlef a 55.6 percent probability to win, a slight edge that proved accurate on the pitch.

The game’s lone goal arrived in the 34th minute and was a product of surprising involvement from the Chlef goalkeeper. Abderrahmane Medjadel initiated the scoring sequence with a long distribution that found its way to Nassim Mekideche. The substitute, who had entered the match earlier, played a key pass to Debbari. The defender finished the move, marking a rare offensive contribution to secure the decisive advantage.

Debbari’s goal stood as the difference despite a physical second half that saw the match’s discipline unravel. The officiating book was opened in the 16th minute for Mekideche and saw frequent use after the interval. In a contentious three-minute span beginning in the 75th minute, four yellow cards were issued. Oued Akbou’s Billal Boukarroum and Hicham Messiad were cautioned simultaneously in the 75th minute, followed by a booking for their teammate Rezki Hamroune in the 79th. Chlef’s goal-scoring goalkeeper, Medjadel, also received a yellow card in the 80th minute, adding to earlier cautions for Debbari and Dalil Hassen Khodja in the first half.

Oued Akbou, unable to convert any possession into an equalizer, recorded its first loss of the young season across all competitions. The visiting side now holds a record of 0-1 in Ligue 1 play. ASO Chlef, conversely, opened its season with a clean sheet and a win, moving to 1-0 in the domestic league. The victory provides an early boost for the home side as it navigates the opening phase of the Algerian top-flight season.