CR Belouizdad secure fifth TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage appearance

Algeria's CR Belouizdad FC became the first side to secure a place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stages on Friday evening, after a dramatic tie against Burkinabe side AS Douanes in Algiers. Belouizdad had to dig deep against the west Africans who came into the clash at the back of a 1-0 first leg win at home. With home ground to their advantage, the Algerians grabbed the lead with a wonder-strike by Abderrahmane Mesiane just before the break to level the aggregate score. Coming back from the break, both sides had a go at each other in desperate search of the all-important winning goal but were each met by quality defending and goalkeeping from either side. The tie would eventually end 1-1 on aggregate, with the only decider having to be the lottery of penalties, which saw the hosts advance 4-3 on penalties and become the first side to book a place in the group stages of Africa's premier club football competition. CR Belouizdad's qualification means they now have qualified for the group stages of the competition five times as they gradually build a name for themselves on the continent. TotalEnergies CAF Champions League action continues over the weekend with interesting ties set to take place across the continent. Source: Confederation of African Football