CR Belouizdad’s captain, Abdel Raouf Benguit, has praised his side’s 1-0 win over record-holders Al Ahly in a moment crucial for the Algerians in the CAF Champions League.
“We knew it would be a tough match because Al Ahly is a team known worldwide and in Africa and is the title holder of the last edition of the competition,” Benguit remarked in post-match. “We did not lose hope.”
The decisive goal in the Group C match on Friday came in stoppage time, with Noufel Khasef finding the net.
Khasef expressed his pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We showed everyone that we are capable of achieving victory against any team.”
He added, “Our goal was to win to continue the continental adventure, and we succeeded in presenting a match at the highest level.”
This victory propels Belouizdad to second place in Group C with six points, just one point behind leaders Al Ahly.
Reflecting on the team’s preparation, Benguit noted, “We followed the coach’s advice, we did not lose hope and waited until the last minutes, which allowed us to score the winning goal that put us back in the qualification race.”
Khasef also acknowledged the support from fans and the technical staff, saying, “I thank our fans who believed in us, and I thank all my colleagues for the performance they gave in the match, and the technical staff for all the efforts.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on future challenges to prolong their stay in the championship.
Looking ahead, Benguit stressed the need for consistency, especially in their upcoming match against Orlando Pirates of South Africa.
“We have to avoid the same mistakes we made in the first match against Orlando, and I think we can return with a positive result,” he stated.
Belouizdad’s performance has demonstrated resilience and determination, qualities that will be crucial as they aim to secure qualification to the next round of the CAF Champions League.
