Belouizdad Start Group Stage With Confident Home Win

CR Belouizdad kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group-stage journey in ideal fashion, defeating Singida Black Stars 2–0 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. A sharp, energetic first-half display set the tone for the Algerian giants, who took full control of the match long before the break.

Belouizdad struck almost immediately, capitalizing on their early pressure in the 5th minute. Houcine Benayada slipped a perfectly weighted pass through the Tanzanian back line, finding Abdennour Belhocini in space. The forward showed great composure as he steered a low right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner, giving the hosts a deserved lead.

Just nine minutes later, the home supporters were on their feet again. Endri Çekiçi spotted Abdelraouf Benguit’s well-timed run and threaded a clever ball into the midfielder’s path. Benguit made no mistake, guiding a precise shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom-right corner to double the advantage.

With a comfortable 2–0 cushion inside 15 minutes, Belouizdad settled into a dominant rhythm. Their midfield dictated possession, their defensive line stayed organised, and Singida Black Stars struggled to carve out any meaningful opportunities. The Algerians controlled the tempo through long spells on the ball, closing the first half firmly in command.

After the restart, Belouizdad continued to manage the match with maturity. They allowed Singida more time on the ball but never compromised their structure, absorbing pressure efficiently and keeping the visitors at arm’s length. Singida pushed for a lifeline, yet the hosts’ defensive discipline ensured the scoreline never came under serious threat.

When the final whistle sounded, Belouizdad’s early work proved more than enough. The 2–0 win marks a strong and assured beginning to their Group C campaign, offering plenty of encouragement for the matches ahead as they aim for a deep run in this year’s competition.