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Algerian champions CS Belouizdad issued an early TotalEnergies CAF Champions League statement by defeating Young Africans 3-0 in Friday’s Group D opener in Algiers.

First-half goals from Abdel Raouf Benguit and Abdelrahmane Meziane gave Belouizdad control before Lamine Jallow sealed victory in added time.

The ruthless display puts Belouizdad top ahead of Egyptian giants Al Ahly’s Saturday clash with group debutants Medeama SC.

Belouizdad quickly seized the initiative when Benguit smashed home after 10 minutes. Meziane then doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime after a rapid counter.

With away opponents Young Africans struggling to contain the lively hosts, the game was put to bed in the 94th minute as Jallow slotted the third.

It condemned the Tanzanians to a repeat of last year’s round-of-32 elimination by the same opponents en route to the quarter-finals.

This time Belouizdad maintained the rage throughout, never allowing Young Africans to gain any foothold.

The result puts early pressure on Al Ahly to match Belouizdad’s fast start when they meet Ghana’s Medeama on Saturday.

But after this powerful performance, coach Marcos Paqueta’s Algerian champions have set the early Group D pace.

Source: CAF

Egyptian side, Pyramids FC got their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group campaign off to a winning start on Friday evening after edging Congolese giants, TP Mazembe 1-0 at the June 30 Stadium.

The five-time African champions, who are looking at reclaiming the number one position on the continent were up against a side that is still working on establishing a strong presence on the continent like their Egyptian counterparts, Al Ahly and Zamalek.

From the onset, it was the hosts who pressed Mazembe into their half, launching attack after attack in search of the opener.

Even with seasoned attackers such as Fiston Mayele in their arsenal, Mazembe hardly troubled the disciplined defense of the Egyptian side who remained resolute throughout the tie.

With nothing to separate the two sides in the opening stanza, a few tactical changes from the hosts saw them coming back from the break with fresh ideas that were duly rewarded.

Minutes from the recess, South African striker, Fagrie Lakay found the back of the net in the 54^th minute with a composed finish coming in from the left to fire the hosts into the lead in what was to become the only goal of the tie.

The important win gives coach Jaime Pacheco’s side a good start to a tough Group A that consists of newly crowned African Football League champions, Mamelodi Sundowns who are in action against Mauritanian champions and debutants, Nouadhibou on Sunday afternoon.

Up next for Mazembe will be a meeting with Sundowns next weekend, while Pyramids are away to Nouadhibou in Mauritania, with both matches taking place on Saturday, 02 December at 13h00 GMT.

Source: CAF

Africa’s premier club football competition, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League makes a return this week, as the group stages of the 2023/24 edition of the competition officially get underway across the continent this Friday.

Following an intense preliminary round that saw some interesting outcomes and upsets, it is now down to the 16 clubs that have been grouped into the four groups of four to resume their continental quest for glory.

The action officially gets underway in Egypt on Friday, 24 November when Pyramids welcomes five-time champions, TP Mazembe who are itching for continental success after last lifting the Champions League trophy in 2015.

In Tanzania, Simba AC welcome Ivorian giants, Asec Mimmosas in a Group B encounter that promises fireworks on the eastern part of the continent on Saturday afternoon.

Later that evening, a Tunisian duel sees ES Tunis playing host to ES Sahel in Tunis with both sides looking at bringing the trophy back to Tunisia after ES Tunis’ last did in 2019.

In another exciting encounter up north, Al Ahly plays host to Ghanaian outfit, Medeama in Cairo as the competition’s record holders look to defend their title.

Last season’s runners up, Wydad AC will be looking to quickly erase their African Football League disappointment when they welcome the high in confidence Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday evening, while Mamelodi Sundowns – fresh from their AFL triumph face Mauritania’s Nouadhibou on Sunday afternoon.   

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage Fixtures: 

Friday, 24 November

16h00 GMT | Pyramids vs TP Mazembe

19h00 GMT | CR Belouizdad vs Young Africans

Saturday, 25 November

13h00 GMT | Simba AC vs Asec Mimmosas

16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos vs Al-Hilal

16h00 GMT | ES Tunis vs ES Sahel

19h00 GMT | Al Ahly vs Medeama

21h00 GMT | Wydad AC vs Jwaneng Galaxy FC

Sunday, 26 November

13h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Nouadhibou

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Groups:

GROUP A: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Pyramids FC (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)

GROUP B: Wydad AC (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Asec Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)

GROUP C: Esperance (Tunisia), Atletico Petroleos (Angola),  Al Hilal (Sudan), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)

GROUP D: Al Ahly (Egypt), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Young Africans (Tanzania), Medeama (Ghana)

Source: Cafonline.com