CAFCC: AS Otoho overwhelm CR Belouizdad in Brazzaville

CR Belouizdad were left stunned on Saturday after hosts AS Otoho scored three first half goals in a 4-1 thumping of the Algerian giants in the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC).

It was a humiliating result for CRB, who never showed any capability of competing with their Congolese hosts in the Group C clash at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat in Brazzaville.

AS Otoho took the early lead in the 12th minute when Prince Mouandza Mapata’s corner kick found defender Jacques Bowamba for an accurate header to beat Farid Chaal in the CRB goal.

A double blow just before the half hour mark made it clear that the visitors were not escaping with any points. In the 26th minute, Wilfrid Nkaya found plenty of space on the left wing and provided a perfect cross for Bandiougou Diallo to finish with his first touch. A few minutes later, Gosim Duvan Elenga uncorked a beautiful strike from distance to make it 3-0.

And the visitors, victorious in their opening match against Singida Black Stars, never recovered. In the second half, one final blow was dealt from the hosts on a set piece in the 65th minute when Klegnime Koné’s corner kick was flicked on by Ibrahima Traoré to find Rosney Obembe for the finish from six yards out.

CRB did manage to find a goal late on when a foul in the penalty area led to Abderrahmane Meziane’s spot kick, but the goal only served as the smallest of consolations for the dismayed visitors.

The shock thrashing is CR Belouizdad’s worst result in sub-Saharan Africa since losing 0-4 to Tanzanian club Young Africans during the 2023-24 CAF Champions League group stage. For Otoho, it is the club’s best-ever result in continental competition.

A two-month break from continental competition means that CRB will return to focusing on domestic duties before hosting Stellenbosch FC in their next Group C match on January 25. AS Otoho, now with their first three points in the group stage, will travel to Zanzibar to face Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars.