BIR EL DJIR, Algeria (Interstat) — M. Abdelkader scored in the 64th minute to give Oran a home victory over Khenchela on Saturday at Stade Olympique d’Oran. The goal broke a scoreless match and stood as the only scoring play of the game. The first half ended without a goal. Khenchela could not find an equalizer after Abdelkader’s strike. Oran held its lead through the final half-hour and secured the result at home. Oran was the home team and Khenchela was the visiting team, with Khenchela scoring no goals and Oran scoring one. The game took place at Stade Olympique d’Oran in Bir El Djir.

The result left Khenchela with 1 win, 2 losses and 4 draws in the competition, and the same record across all competitions. Oran improved to 4 wins, no losses and 2 draws in the competition and across all competitions. Oran entered the match unbeaten in the competition and extended that run with its fourth win of the campaign. Khenchela remained on one win for the season and has now drawn four times. Oran’s previous results this season included a 1-0 win at Biskra, a 0-0 home draw with ES Setif, a 1-0 win at Chlef and a 2-0 home win over CR Temouchent. Khenchela’s previous results included a 2-0 home win over Constantine, a 1-0 loss at CR Belouizdad, a 0-0 draw at Saoura, a 1-1 home draw with Ben Aknoun and a 0-0 home draw with USM Alger.

Khenchela was disciplined early, with Litim O. booked in the 23rd minute. Douar Y. was shown a yellow card in the 58th minute and Zenasni A. followed in the 62nd, shortly before Abdelkader’s breakthrough. Oran made its first change in the 58th minute when Aoudjane C. came on. Khenchela brought on Mathew Fall A. in the 65th minute. Oran introduced Matouti E. in the 72nd minute and Saadi I. in the 78th. Khenchela made a double change in the 89th minute, with Zaitri Z. and Zenasni A. entering, after Douar Y. had been replaced in the 74th. Oran’s Belkhiter M. and Bagnama O. were booked in the first minute of stoppage time, and Oran received another yellow card in the 94th minute.

Abdelkader played the full 90 minutes and finished with the game’s only goal. His 64th-minute strike was enough to separate the teams. Khenchela could not respond after falling behind. Oran protected the narrow lead through the final minutes and secured the home result. The single goal proved decisive. Oran’s next 10 league matches are against Olympique Akbou at home, USM Alger away, Saoura at home, Ben Aknoun away, Belouizdad at home, Constantine away, MB Rouissat away, Kabylie at home, MC Alger at home and CR Temouchent away. Khenchela’s next 10 league matches are against MC Alger away, CR Temouchent at home, Chlef away, Setif at home, Biskra away, MB Rouissat at home, El Biar at home, O Akbou away, USM Alger away and Saoura at home.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Oran 0, Khenchela 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Oran with a 92 percent probability to win. Oran had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 1 finished under the over/under line of 2.5.