Stellenbosch suffer 3-0 defeat to CR Belouizdad in CAF Confederation Cup

Mohamed Ben Hamouda opened the scoring at the DHL Stadium after 18 minutes but it took until the 80th minute for Abdennour Belhocini to double his side's lead.

Islam Abbaci thenb sealed the result with his goal two minutes from time.

It was a second defeat to Belouizdad in the space of a week, and the result left Stellies in fourth place on the standings with four points from four games and CRB top of the pile with nine points.

The home team came close to an opener after just three minutes when new signing Wonderboy Makhubu fired just wide of the target following some neat approach play.

Stellies keeper Sage Stephens made light work of a Mohamed Islam Belkhir attempt after six minutes, but he was unable to stop Ben Hamouda from firing home after an excellent pass from Youcef Amine Laouafi to pick out his partner in a prime goal scoring position in front of the poles.

Mohamed Ben Hamouda was denied by the woodwork as he powered in a header at the end of the first half, while there was little in the way of goalmouth action after the break.

Stellies were struggling to get hold of the ball as Belouizdad continued to look for ways to penetrate their opponent's defence.

Makhubu came close with another good effort with 16 minutes of the match remaining, while Chumane Butsaka should have done better when set up by Langelihle Phili, but could only scuff his effort past a post.

The visitors always looked the more threatening and eventually doubled their lead with 10 minutes remaining as Belhocini's header beat Stephens in the Stellies goal.

Abbaci stole in late on with the home defence napping, to lift his team into first place in Group C with nine points after four games and leave Stellenbosch bottom of the pile with four points.

Gavin Hunt's side will need points against AS Otoho and Singida Black Stars in their final two group games to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.