DR Congo giants TP Mazembe are out of the race for a quarterfinal spot in the CAF Champions League after losing 2-0 to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in their fifth game of the group stages played on Friday at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 .
In the wake of the loss, the visitors now remain at the bottom of Group B standings with two points after five games.
Belouizdad took control of the game from the onset, dominating possession, with Mohamed Belkhir and Bilal Tarikat making their presence felt in the midfield.
The Ravens had the better of the chances as well, with Joel Beya heading inches wide after a well-worked free-kick in the 15th minute.
Chemseddine Nessakh came to Belouizdad’ rescue in the 28th minute, as he cleared Adam Nzali’s solid header off the line.
The White and Reds didn’t offer much in attack, as they were chasing shadows for most of the first half, and it looked as if they best chance of scoring would come from a set-piece.
Beya should have given Mazembe the lead five minutes before the halftime break, he played a neat one-two with Christ Kisangala , before blasting wide of the target from six-yards out.
Nicolas Kazadi nearly broke the deadlock for Mazembe with his first touch in the game in the 59th minute but the striker fired his effort into the side-netting.
Sudi Bibonge came close in the 68th minute but the defender head over from close range, following a Arsene Zola’s corner.
Ibrahim Mounkoro was finally called into action in the 74th minute, as he pulled off a fine save to keep out Amir Saydou’s long range effort.
Belouizdad took the lead in the 84th minute, as Amir Sayoud showed great skill and composure to round send a powerful header past Mounkoro.
Two minutes later, Youcef Bechou doubled the hosts lead when he produced a stunning effort into the bottom right-hand corner.
Chico Ushindi tried his luck from range in the 88th minute but his left-footed went well wide of the target.
Kazadi nearly scored an equalizer in the 90th minute but the veteran striker’s close range effort was kept out by the upright.
Toufik Moussaoi produced a brilliant save in the dying minutes to deny Kazadi from close range.
Moussaoi made sure all three points went to Beloizdad as he denied Ushindi from point blank range deep in stoppage time.
