Alkass Digital
Algerian champions CS Belouizdad issued an early TotalEnergies CAF Champions League statement by defeating Young Africans 3-0 in Friday's Group D opener in Algiers.
First-half goals from Abdel Raouf Benguit and Abdelrahmane Meziane gave Belouizdad control before Lamine Jallow sealed victory in added time.
The ruthless display puts Belouizdad top ahead of Egyptian giants Al Ahly's Saturday clash with group debutants Medeama SC.
Belouizdad quickly seized the initiative when Benguit smashed home after 10 minutes. Meziane then doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime after a rapid counter.
With away opponents Young Africans struggling to contain the lively hosts, the game was put to bed in the 94th minute as Jallow slotted the third.
It condemned the Tanzanians to a repeat of last year's round-of-32 elimination by the same opponents en route to the quarter-finals.
This time Belouizdad maintained the rage throughout, never allowing Young Africans to gain any foothold.
The result puts early pressure on Al Ahly to match Belouizdad's fast start when they meet Ghana's Medeama on Saturday.
But after this powerful performance, coach Marcos Paqueta’s Algerian champions have set the early Group D pace.