TIZI OUZOU, Algeria (Interstat) — Aymen Mahious scored in the 12th minute and Kabylie protected that narrow lead for a 1-0 home victory over ASO Chlef on Friday at Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed in Tizi Ouzou. Mahious finished with one goal in 66 minutes before he was substituted. The early strike proved enough on a afternoon when clear chances were limited and the match grew increasingly physical. Kabylie, the home side, managed the game after the goal and kept ASO Chlef from finding an equalizer. The visitors pushed numbers forward late but could not break through. Kabylie’s defense and midfield absorbed pressure, while ASO Chlef’s best moments came from set pieces and wide deliveries that did not produce a finishing touch. The result gave Kabylie its second win of the competition season against one loss and one draw, also moving the club to the same record across all competitions. ASO Chlef remained without a win in the competition and overall, sitting at no wins and one loss in both.

The only goal arrived early when Mahious converted for Kabylie in the 12th minute. The goal gave the home team a lead it never surrendered, and it changed the shape of the contest. ASO Chlef had to chase the game sooner than it might have planned, while Kabylie could sit deeper and look to counter. Mahious’s contribution lasted 66 minutes, when Kabylie made a substitution. The forward’s statline read one goal in 66 minutes, and his finish stood as the decisive moment of the match. ASO Chlef struggled to create a comparable chance after falling behind. Kabylie’s back line dealt with crosses and second balls, and the home side’s midfield worked to slow ASO Chlef’s rhythm. As the minutes passed, the visitors’ urgency increased, but the final ball repeatedly eluded them. Kabylie’s ability to defend the lead defined the second half as much as Mahious’s first-half goal.

Discipline became a factor as the game wore on. ASO Chlef’s Hamdani A. received a yellow card in the 47th minute. Kabylie’s Guendouz A. was booked in the 72nd minute, and ASO Chlef’s Lamrani S. followed in the 78th. Kabylie’s Msanga A. was cautioned in the 88th minute as the match entered its final stages. The bookings came as both teams committed fouls while trying to gain control. ASO Chlef made a substitution at halftime involving Brahimi B. and another in the 64th minute involving Larbi I. Kabylie replaced Mahious in the 66th minute, then made two changes in the 72nd minute. Kabylie also made substitutions in the 83rd and 84th minutes. ASO Chlef used substitutions in the 84th and 89th minutes. The changes allowed both sides to introduce fresh legs for the closing stretch, but they did not alter the scoreline.

Kabylie’s previous results this season included a draw with MC Alger, a loss at CR Temouchent and a win over MB Rouissat. ASO Chlef will next host MB Rouisset. Kabylie’s upcoming schedule includes trips to Khenchela, Setif, O Akbou, Saoura and Belouizdad, along with home matches against El Biar, Biskra, USM Alger, Ben Aknoun and Constantine. ASO Chlef will look to recover from the defeat and find its first win of the season. Kabylie will aim to carry the defensive resolve from this match into its next fixtures. The home victory added another result to a season that has already included a win, a loss and a draw before Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Kabylie 1, ASO Chlef 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Kabylie with an 81.6 percent probability to win.