CAF Champions League: ES Sétif Coach Madoui Reacts to Crushing Defeat Against USM Alger
ES Sétif’s hopes of defending their CAF Champions League title now hang by a thread after a heavy 3-0 defeat to USM Alger on Friday in Algiers. The setback, suffered on Matchday 5 of Group B, leaves the reigning champions on the brink of elimination, with only a miracle capable of saving their campaign.
Speaking after the match, ES Sétif coach Kheireddine Madoui did not hide his disappointment:
“We started the match well. We created quite a few chances, but my players made some unforgivable mistakes. At this level, you pay dearly for that,” he admitted.
Down by two goals at halftime following strikes from Youcef Belaïli and Kadour Beldjilali, Sétif’s situation worsened in the second half when Mohamed Aoudia added a third for USM Alger. Madoui had urged his team to tighten up defensively after the break, but his instructions went unheeded.
“In the second half, I asked the players to close down their game so as not to concede more. And we conceded another goal. This defeat is really hard to swallow,” he added.
The loss leaves Sétif needing a highly unlikely combination of results — starting with a defeat for El Merreikh against already-eliminated MC El Eulma — to stand a chance of qualifying on the final matchday. Even then, the Algerian champions face a daunting goal difference hurdle.
For now, ES Sétif face the prospect of an early Champions League exit, with coach Madoui and his players left to reflect on what has gone wrong in a disappointing title defence.
