USM Alger and CR Belouizdad took major strides towards the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, as both Algerian sides recorded strong results to tighten their grip on Group C.
USM Alger moved a step closer to qualification after earning a goalless draw away to Djoliba in Bamako.
The point, secured in Mali, proved valuable as it allowed the Algerian champions to maintain their position at the top of the group with 10 points.
In a tightly contested encounter, the Red and Blacks showed discipline and resilience to return home with a result that significantly strengthens their continental campaign.
The draw also proved enough to mathematically secure USM Alger’s place in the quarter-finals later in the evening.
That confirmation came after Morocco’s Olympique Safi defeated FC San Pedro of Ivory Coast 3-1 at home.
The result left Safi second in the group with nine points, while San Pedro remain on three, and Djoliba sit bottom with just one point.
Attention now turns to the next round, scheduled for next week, with USM Alger set to travel to face FC San Pedro. Djoliba, meanwhile, will also be on the road as they take on Olympique Safi.
Earlier in the day, CR Belouizdad produced a commanding performance in South Africa, defeating Stellenbosch 3-0 in Cape Town.
The result followed last week’s 2-0 home victory at the Nelson Mandela Stadium and underlined CRB’s dominance in the group.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Tunisian forward Ben Hammouda opened the scoring. He appeared to double the lead eight minutes later with a header, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
CR Belouizdad remained in control and finally extended their advantage in the 80th minute, when Belhocini headed in from a well-delivered cross.
Late in the match, coach made a decisive substitution, introducing 20-year-old Islam Abbaci in the 86th minute.
The youngster made an immediate impact, needing just one minute to add the third goal, again with a header.
The emphatic win sees CR Belouizdad consolidate top spot in Group C with nine points and take a significant step towards the quarter-finals.
In the group’s other fixture, Otoho d’Oyo of Congo moved into second place with six points after a 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars.
On the next matchday, scheduled for next Sunday, CR Belouizdad will travel once more to face Singida Black Stars, while Otoho d’Oyo will host Stellenbosch in the penultimate round of group matches.
