CR Belouizdad emerged as 2-0 winners over Stellenbosch FC in the Caf Confederation Cup group C match played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria on Sunday night.
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The victory saw the Algerian giants move up to the top of the group standings with three matches left. Coach Sead Ramovic's side will be looking to complete a double over Stellenbosch when the two teams meet in South Africa on 1 February.
Stellies, on the other hand, slipped down to the second spot in the standings, but they are just two points behind Belouizdad. Coach Gavin Hunt will be determined to ensure that the South African side reclaim the top spot when the two teams meet next weekend.
The Chababists got off to the perfect start as they took the lead as early as the fifth minute. Abdennour Belhocini fired past goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke with Lofti Boussouar providing the assist, and Belouizdad were leading 1-0 during the halftime break.
Stellies struggled to keep possession in the hosts' half and control the game after the restart, but this changed just after the 62nd minute, with Hunt having made a triple substitution. Thato Khiba, Wayde Jooste and Ashley Cupido were the three players who were introduced.
However, Stellenbosch's end product was simply poor in the final third on the night. The Chababists made late attacks and they were awarded a penalty which was converted by Farid El Melali in stoppage time to seal Belouizdad's 2-0 win after Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda was fouled in the box.
Belouizdad (1) 2 (Belhocini 5', El Melali 90'+5)
Stellenbosch 0
CR Belouizdad: Chaâl, Khacef, Laouafi, Keddad, Benayada, Benguit (Kaassis 48'), Boukhanchouche, Boussouar (El Melali 85'), Belhocini (Boukerchaoui 73'), Belkhir (Ouassa 85'), Hammouda.
Stellenbosch: Masuluke, Enyinnaya, Moloisane, Stanic, Mdaka, Jabaar (Mokobodi 90'), Mthiyane, Barns (Jooste 62'), Phili (Khiba 62'), Titus (Lekoloane 90'), Khanyi (Cupido 62')