CR Belouizdad to Face AS Douanes in CAF Confederation Cup

The wait is over for Algerian football club CR Belouizdad, who have been confirmed to face Mauritanian side AS Douanes in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS) has ruled in favor of AS Douanes, resolving a dispute with Guinean club Hafia FC and validating their qualification for the competition. This development brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding the fixture, allowing CR Belouizdad to shift their focus to preparing for the match.

The TAS decision confirms that AS Douanes will proceed to the second preliminary round, where they will face CR Belouizdad. The Algerian club had been in a state of limbo, unable to prepare for the match due to the uncertainty surrounding their opponent. With the fixture now confirmed, CR Belouizdad can begin to prepare for the double confrontation, which will determine their fate in the competition. The team will travel to Nouakchott, Mauritania, for the first leg, with the return match to be played at a later date.

While CR Belouizdad is now aware of their opponent, there is still uncertainty surrounding the dates for the double confrontation. The Mauritanian club has not communicated the dates for the matches, leaving the Algerian side in the dark about when they will play. CR Belouizdad is now awaiting communication from the CAF, which is expected to provide the dates for the matches. The team will need to be prepared to face AS Douanes in the best possible conditions, as the winner of the tie will progress to the group stage.

The group stage draw has already been made, with CR Belouizdad set to join the Congolese side AS Maniema Union, Tanzanian team Singida Black Stars, and Zambian outfit Red Arrows FC in Group C. The Algerian club will be looking to make a strong impression in the competition, which is a major objective for the team. The CR Belouizdad players will need to be at their best to overcome AS Douanes and progress to the group stage.

The TAS decision brings an end to a lengthy and complex process, which had cast a shadow over the competition. The dispute between AS Douanes and Hafia FC had threatened to disrupt the fixture, but the TAS ruling has resolved the issue. CR Belouizdad can now focus on their preparations for the match, which will be a crucial test of their abilities.

In other news, CR Belouizdad has lost one of its founding members, Messaoud Merad, who passed away recently. Merad was one of the last surviving founders of the club, which was established on July 15, 1962. He was a dedicated supporter of the team and had been actively involved in its affairs until his passing.

The CAF is expected to communicate the dates for the CR Belouizdad vs AS Douanes matches in the coming days. Once the dates are confirmed, CR Belouizdad will begin their preparations in earnest, aiming to secure a positive result and progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Key points

• CR Belouizdad to face AS Douanes in CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round
• TAS rules in favor of AS Douanes, validating their qualification for the competition
• CR Belouizdad awaiting confirmation of dates for double confrontation against AS Douanes