ES Sétif’s hopes of closing the gap on the Ligue 1 podium suffered a major blow on Tuesday after a surprise 1-0 home defeat to CS Constantine in a rescheduled fixture from matchday 21.
The clash was viewed as a crucial opportunity for Sétif to strengthen their bid for third place — a position that secures qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, that ambition took a hit as Nabil El-Kouki’s side failed to convert home advantage into points, leaving them six points adrift of third-placed CR Belouizdad.
The game’s decisive moment came early in the second half.
At the 52nd minute, Constantine striker Benchâa struck what would prove to be the only goal of the encounter, silencing the Stade du 8 Mai 1945 and giving the visitors a lead they never relinquished.
Despite dominating possession and pressing for an equaliser, ES Sétif lacked precision in the final third, with their attacking efforts repeatedly stifled by a disciplined Constantine defence.
The defeat leaves Sétif stalled at 38 points, unable to capitalise on the chance to pile pressure on their rivals in the race for continental qualification.
CS Constantine, meanwhile, will take great encouragement from a result that not only lifts them into 10th place with 29 points but also revives their campaign, particularly as they still have three matches in hand.
The win marks a significant turnaround for the club, which has struggled for consistency throughout the season.
For coach Nabil El-Kouki and his squad, the frustration was palpable as the final whistle blew.
The match had been circled on the calendar as a must-win fixture, particularly given the stakes in the league standings and the congested nature of the race for top-three positions.
With just a handful of games remaining, the margin for error continues to shrink for the Sétifiens.
While qualification for continental competition remains mathematically possible, this latest setback puts added pressure on their upcoming fixtures.
As for CS Constantine, the result not only provides a much-needed morale boost but also reaffirms their ability to compete with the league’s top sides.
Their immediate focus will now shift to building on this momentum as they seek to climb further up the table with games in hand.
