CR Belouizdad the first to secure group stage berth
Yesterday at 07:00 AM
Algeria's CR Belouizdad have become the first team to secure a berth in the group stage of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League after they overcame Burkina Faso's AS Douanes on Friday evening.
The teams met for a second round, return leg tie at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran, with the West African visitors holding a 1-0 advantage from the first game last Saturday in Bamako.
The Algerian hosts levelled the tie at 1-1 thanks to Abderrahmane Meziane's 35th minute strike, but were unable to establish an aggregate advantage through the remainder of the match.
In fact, CRB were reduced to 10 men late on in regulation time and ultimately did well to navigate this difficulty and take the tie to penalties.
Belouizdad ultimately triumphed 4-3 in the shootout to move into the group stage of the Champions League for a fifth consecutive season.
The Champions League continues today, Saturday 21 September, with 10 matches across the continent, headlined by the likes of Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance de Tunis, TP Mazembe, Raja Casablanca and Al Ahly.
CAF Champions League results, Friday 20 September
CR Belouizdad 1-0 AS Douanes – 1-1 on aggregate, CRB won 4-3 on penalties
