TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup: CR Belouizdad hold Hafia FC as USM Alger Fall to Académie Diallo Amadou
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The first-leg fixtures of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round delivered drama and balance on Sunday, 19 October, with clubs across the continent battling for early advantage in their quest for a place in the group stage.
Algeria’s CR Belouizdad earned a valuable away draw against Guinea’s Hafia FC, while compatriots USM Alger suffered a narrow defeat on the road to Académie Diallo Amadou of Côte d’Ivoire. In another key tie, Mali’s Djoliba AC clinched a crucial away win against USFA of Burkina Faso.
Hafia FC (GUI) 1–1 CR Belouizdad (ALG)
CR Belouizdad returned from Conakry with an important 1–1 draw that keeps their qualification hopes alive ahead of the return leg in Algiers.
Hafia FC took the lead in the 62nd minute through Alhassane Kamara, but Belouizdad responded swiftly, as Khacef equalised just three minutes later to secure a valuable result for the Algerian side.
Académie Diallo Amadou (CIV) 1–0 USM Alger (ALG)
Algerian giants, USM Alger endured a difficult evening in Côte d’Ivoire, falling 1–0 to Académie Diallo Amadou.
The hosts struck early when Kalilou Garjo capitalised on a defensive lapse in the ninth minute. Despite periods of dominance and several chances, the Algerian outfit could not find a breakthrough and will now look to overturn the deficit in the return fixture in Algiers.
USFA (BFA) 0–1 Djoliba AC (MLI)
Mali’s Djoliba AC earned a precious 1–0 victory away to USFA in Ouagadougou. The decisive goal came in the 84th minute courtesy of Kader Knam, giving the visitors a strong position ahead of the second leg in Bamako.
With the return matches scheduled for next weekend, all eyes will be on the Algerian clubs CR Belouizdad and USM Alger, who will aim to make home advantage count and book their spots in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage phase.
