CAF Cup: CR Belouizdad focused solely on securing qualification against Hafia Conakry

CR Belouizdad will host Hafia Conakry at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday with one clear goal — sealing qualification for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Just a week after earning a draw in the away leg, the Algerian side returns home determined to finish the job.

The encounter in Baraki promises to be a challenging one, with Hafia having already shown their attacking threat and resilience in the first meeting.

For the Algiers-based club, nothing short of victory will suffice as they seek to maintain their presence in continental competition.

Head coach Sven Vandenbroeck Ramovic knows the stakes could not be higher.

A defeat or even another draw could prove disastrous, not only for the team’s campaign but also for his own position.

He has spent the week rallying his squad, demanding total focus and discipline.

The team must stay alert and not allow Hafia to gain confidence, he reportedly told his players during the final training sessions.

Avoiding costly mistakes
The first leg revealed several weaknesses in CR Belouizdad’s performance, particularly in midfield cohesion and defensive transitions.

Ramovic has made it clear that the team cannot afford similar lapses this time around.

The defensive unit has been instructed to maintain compactness and, above all, to avoid conceding an early goal that could tilt the balance in the visitors’ favour.

The key will be to stay solid and not concede, a club source said. If Hafia score first, the pressure could become unbearable.

The message has been consistent throughout the week — stay focused, remain patient, and take advantage of home support.

The Red and Whites are aware that conceding even once could significantly complicate their route to qualification.

Reinforcements return at the right time
In a welcome boost for Ramovic, several key players have returned to the squad ahead of the decisive match.

Centre-back Chouaib Keddad, playmaker Amir Belhocini, and midfielder Kassis are all expected to be available for selection.

Their presence could prove crucial, providing both stability and creativity in a side eager to reassert itself after a mixed start to the season.

These returns offer the coach greater flexibility in shaping his starting eleven, with competition for places expected to be intense.

The team’s leadership believes that full strength and unity will be essential to overcome Hafia’s spirited challenge.

CR Belouizdad’s players have been reminded that qualification is non-negotiable.

Beyond the result, a convincing performance would restore confidence and calm growing concerns among supporters.

The stakes are high — for the team, for the coach, and for the club’s ambitions on the continental stage.