Stellenbosch FC suffered back-to-back defeats in the CAF Confederation
Cup group stages after going down 3-0 to Sead Ramovic’s CR Belouizdad on
Sunday afternoon.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Stellenbosch FC 0-3 CR Belouizdad
Date: 01 February 2026
Venue: DHL Stadium
Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt handed debuts to Mosa Lebusa, Asekho Tiwani
and Wonderboy Makhubu, while Tshegofatso Mabasa was recalled to the
starting line-up after missing the defeat to Belouizdad in Algeria last
weekend.
Both sides were not involved in any midweek action, giving them ample time
to prepare for the clash at the DHL Stadium, where the pitch had seen
better days.
However, it was the Algerians who got the breakthrough on 19 minutes as
Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda latched onto a ball over the top by Naoufel
Khacef before rifling the ball beyond goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
The game opened up there after as Ramovic’s charges had the ball in the
back of the net for a second time after 28 minutes but it was ruled out
for offside, while Makhubu was denied a debut goal in the first half after
seeing his goal-bound effort cleared on the line by Chouhaib Keddad.
Stellenbosch were unable to claw their way back into the encounter, as
they struggled to mount any serious attempts at the Belouizdad goal, with
shot-stopper Farid Chaal barely getting a touch of the ball.
After a slow start to the second half, coach Hunt responded with a triple
change as Ashley Cupido, Devin Titus and Phili replaced Mabasa, Kareem
Jabaar and Wayde Jooste for the final 30 minutes of the second half.
The changes nearly paid dividends for Stellenbosch with 20 minutes to play
as Cupido saw his volley blocked in the box, before Titus was denied on
the rebound by Chaal, who made a real mess of the situation before being
able to clear the ball.
However, any hopes of Stellenbosch comeback were dashed in the 80th minute
when Belouizdad sealed the win through Abdennour Belhocini, who got on the
end of Bilal Boukerchaoui’s cross and sent a wonderful header past
Stephens.
There was enough time for a third goal when second-half substitute Islam
Abbaci turned home a cross at the far post to seal a good win for the
Algrian outfit, while the South Africans suffer back-to-back losses.
Confirmed line-ups:CAF Confederation Cup – Group Stage
Result: Stellenbosch FC 0–3 CR Belouizdad
Date: 01 February 2026
Venue: DHL Stadium
Stellenbosch FC’s hopes of progressing in the CAF Confederation Cup
suffered a major setback after a second consecutive 3–0 defeat to
Algeria’s CR Belouizdad on Sunday. Despite fielding a refreshed lineup,
the South African side struggled to contain their opponents and now face
an uphill battle to qualify from the group stage.
Match Recap:
Playing on a worn DHL Stadium pitch, Stellenbosch handed debuts to Mosa
Lebusa, Asekho Tiwani, and Wonderboy Makhubu, and recalled striker
Tshegofatso Mabasa. However, it was the visitors who settled quicker,
taking the lead in the 19th minute when Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda latched
onto a long ball and fired powerfully past Sage Stephens.
Belouizdad continued to threaten, having a goal ruled out for offside
before Makhubu’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line shortly before
halftime. Stellenbosch offered little going forward, with Algerian
goalkeeper Farid Chaal largely untested.
Coach Gavin Hunt made a triple substitution on the hour mark, introducing
Ashley Cupido, Devin Titus, and Jayden Phili. The changes briefly sparked
life into the hosts, as Cupido and Titus were both denied in quick
succession around the 70th minute.
Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished ten minutes from time when
Abdennour Belhocini rose to meet a cross and head powerfully past
Stephens. In added time, substitute Islam Abbaci tapped in at the far post
to seal a commanding victory for Sead Ramović’s side.
Implications:
The defeat leaves Stellenbosch rooted to the bottom of their group after
back-to-back heavy losses to the same opponent. With confidence dented and
defensive vulnerabilities exposed, they will need a significant turnaround
to keep their continental campaign alive.
Lineups:
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens; Enyinnaya, Lebusa, Stanic, Jooste (Phili 60’);
Tiwani, Butsaka, Palace; Jabaar (Titus 60’), Mabasa (Cupido 60’), Makhubu.
Subs: Masuluke, Mokobodi, Mthiyane, Mdaka, Mcaba, Kodisang.
CR Belouizdad: Chaal; Keddad, Bouchar, Khacef; Boukerchaoui, Zamoum, Ben
Hammouda, Belhocini; Ait El Hadj, Boussaid (Abbaci 75’), Merbah.
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Enyinnaya, Jooste, Stanic, Lebusa, Tiwani, Palace,
Butsaka, Jabaar, Mabasa, Makhubu
Subs: Masuluke, Mokobodi, Mthiyane, Titus, Cupido, Mdaka, Mcaba, Kodisang,
Phili
