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Benguit, Ouserir set tone: no easy games as Belouizdad plot Group C path

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CR Belouizdad believe their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League know-how and a strong home start can set the tone in a tightly matched TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group C. 

Club leaders say there are “no easy matches” in a section that pairs the Algerian giants with South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC, Congo’s AS Otohô and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars.

Travel to Central and East Africa is flagged as a key test, but the message from Algiers is clear: embrace the challenge and harness the support of the home crowd.

Captain Abdelraouf Benguit welcomed the outcome while underlining the standards required. “We followed the CAF Confederation Cup draw, which placed us in a tough but manageable group,” he said.

“We have players with great experience in African competitions, along with talented young players. We’ll keep working to maintain our positive results and make a strong start in the Confederation Cup.”

Goalkeepers coach Nassim Ouserir echoed that assessment, calling the pool even and unforgiving. “I think we are in a balanced group—there is no easy match. God willing, we will enter this competition strongly, especially in the first games that we will host, and we will approach them seriously,” he explained.

Belouizdad’s recent continental pedigree has shaped the plan. “The team today has a lot of experience in African competitions, especially the Champions League, and, God willing, the players will make use of that experience in the Confederation Cup,” Ouserir added.

Benguit stressed the role of the home support as the group gets underway.

“CR Belouizdad fans play a key role in bringing the team back on track. We’ll need their support to keep pushing forward and reach our goals,” he said.

And with long-haul trips looming, Ouserir called for focus. “This group involves difficult trips and long distances—to South Africa, Congo and even Tanzania—but that’s the nature of it… God willing, we will achieve our target in the end, and the team will live up to the expectations of all its fans and of the club.”

The group phase opens on 21–23 November, pauses for the AFCON finals after matchday two, and resumes 23–25 January.

Defending Confed Cup champions are RS Berkane; former winners in this year’s field include Zamalek and USM Alger.

Teams reaching the knockout rounds are guaranteed significant prize money, with the champions to receive USD 2 million and runners-up USD 1 million.

Group C fixtures (Belouizdad)

  • MD1 – 23 Nov 2025: CR Belouizdad vs Singida Black Stars; Stellenbosch FC vs AS Otohô

  • MD2 – 30 Nov 2025: AS Otohô vs CR Belouizdad; Singida Black Stars vs Stellenbosch FC

  • MD3 – 25 Jan 2026: CR Belouizdad vs Stellenbosch FC; Singida Black Stars vs AS Otohô

  • MD4 – 1 Feb 2026: Stellenbosch FC vs CR Belouizdad; AS Otohô vs Singida Black Stars

  • MD5 – 8 Feb 2026: Singida Black Stars vs CR Belouizdad; AS Otohô vs Stellenbosch FC

  • MD6 – 15 Feb 2026: CR Belouizdad vs AS Otohô; Stellenbosch FC vs Singida Black Stars