le CSC quitte la compétition sur une victoire (1-0)
CS Constantine’s Elimination from CAF Confederation Cup
On Sunday, CS Constantine faced RS Berkane at the Stade Chahid Hamlaoui, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, losing 1-0. This marked CS Constantine’s first appearance in the semi-finals of this prestigious tournament.
Despite trailing by four goals from the first leg, the team, under coach Kheireddine Madoui, displayed determination and bravery in their efforts to overturn the deficit, yet they struggled against a resilient Berkane defense. The opening stages saw Constantine having difficulty settling into the match. They relied heavily on long aerial balls aimed at the front line, which were effectively repelled by the solid backline of RS Berkane.
However, buoyed by the support of their thousands of fans, the Constantinois pressed forward, trying to combine and create opportunities. Their best chance in the first half came from captain Brahim Dib, whose header narrowly missed the goal, hitting the post instead (39′).
In the second half, CS Constantine improved significantly, continuing to apply pressure. They earned a corner kick, taken perfectly by Brahim Dib, leading to Abdennour Belhocini’s goal that gave the Algerian fans a glimmer of hope just two minutes after the restart (47′).
Unfortunately for the "Sanafir," despite their persistent attacks, they were unable to breach the Berkane defense again. Numerous missed opportunities arose from a combination of imprecision and haste. Belhocini narrowly missed another chance with a header (58′), and both Dib and Houari Baouche saw their attempts thwarted, with Dib’s shot hitting the outside of the goalpost (75%). Baouche and Laïd Bellaouel also failed to convert chances, being denied by the opposing goalkeeper.
While eliminated, CS Constantine managed to secure a victory in this match, providing a bittersweet consolation amidst their disappointment.
Coaches’ Comments
Kheireddine Madoui reflected positively on the match, stating, "We played a great match compared to the first leg. We have succeeded in defeating the finalists from the previous season, who have been unbeaten until now. Despite the defeat, we are disappointed as we could have turned the game around if we had capitalized on our chances. The opposing team tried to manage the match and counter-attack, but they didn’t catch our defense off guard. We exit the competition with honor and have gained valuable experience. Our supporters and hard work helped us reach this stage."
Conversely, Mouin Chaabani, the coach of RS Berkane, remarked, "We have now achieved our goal of reaching the final of this tournament. The result from the first leg provided us some comfort. Early in the match, we faced an injury to our right winger, which led to forced changes. Nonetheless, we managed the match well, especially given the intense pressure from CS Constantine. We commend them for their strong performance, proving that their level is comparable to teams aiming for the final.”
The match at Stade Chahid Hamlaoui stands as a testament to the resilience of CS Constantine and sets a foundation for further growth in their quest for continental success.
