USM Alger, CR Belouizdad victories secure TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup knockout places
USM Alger and CR Belouizdad have both officially booked their places in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, capping a successful round for Algerian clubs on the continental stage.
USM Alger produced a dramatic late comeback to edge San Pédro 3–2 away from home, while CR Belouizdad showed resilience and defensive discipline to grind out a hard-fought 1–0 victory against Singida Black Stars.
The two results confirm their progression to the quarter-finals of the competition.
San Pédro 2–3 USM Alger
USM Alger claimed a dramatic 3–2 away victory over San Pédro after a thrilling contest settled by a stunning late goal. The visitors made a flying start, opening the scoring in the 2nd minute when Che Malone finished from close range following a corner.
Just three minutes later, Glody Likonza doubled USM Alger’s lead with a powerful strike from outside the box. San Pédro responded immediately through Issouf Dosso, who pulled one back in the 6th minute to spark a lively opening period.
The hosts completed the comeback in the 38th minute when Issouf Dosso struck again, finishing calmly from inside the area to make it 2–2 at the break.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the second half, with chances at either end, but it was USM Alger who had the final say deep into stoppage time. In the 90+2nd minute, substitute Mohamed Bouderbala produced a superb right-footed strike from outside the box to seal a dramatic victory for the Algerian side.
Singida Black Stars 0 – 1 CR Belouizdad
CR Belouizdad secured a 1–0 away victory over Singida Black Stars, with Abdennour Belhocini scoring the decisive goal in the 3rd minute with a long-range strike.
Belouizdad were reduced to ten men on the hour after Mohamed Hammouda received a second yellow card, while Singida Black Stars also finished with ten following Abdulmalik Zakaria’s second booking in stoppage time. Singida pushed hard late on, creating multiple chances through Khalid Aucho and Elvis Rupia, but goalkeeper Farid Chaâl made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Despite heavy pressure and 8 minutes of added time, Belouizdad held on to claim all three points to secure progression.
Olympic Club de Safi 2 – 1 Djoliba
Olympic Safi claimed a hard-fought 2–1 home victory over Djoliba in an eventful encounter decided early in the second half. The hosts got off to a dream start when Salaheddine Errahouli opened the scoring in the 1st minute, finishing clinically from close range. Djoliba responded well and were rewarded in the 14th minute as Aboubacar Diarra calmly converted from the penalty spot to level the scores.
The match remained evenly contested after the break, but Olympic Safi regained the lead five minutes into the second half. Sofiane El Moudane rose highest at a corner to head home from close range in the 50th minute, restoring the home side’s advantage.
Djoliba pushed for an equaliser late on, while Safi created chances to extend their lead, but both goalkeepers stood firm.
The narrow victory sees Olympic Club officially secure qualification to the knockout stages of the competition