CAF Champions League Match Report: ES Setif Pumps the Brakes on Amazulu's Quarterfinal Aspirations

• Algerian side ES Setif pumped the breaks on the ambitious Amazulu's CAF Champions League aspirations
• Setif defeated Usuthu at the Stade du 6 Juillet 1962 2-0 courtesy of two first-half strikes by Riad Benayad and Akram Djahnit
• The loss robbed the South Africans of the early opportunity to position themselves nicely for a spot in the quarterfinals

Amazulu fumbled the opportunity to top group B of the CAF Champions League with a 2-0 loss away to Algerian side ES Setif.

Taking place at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, the result was settled by two first half strikes from Riad Benayad and Akram Djahnit. It left Usuthu in third place on six points in the group, tied with Setif, who are second courtesy of goal difference.

As was reported by supersport.com, Usuthu never looked like getting back into the contest after Riad Benayad broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, with Akram Djahnit sealing the victory on the stroke of halftime.

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Benni McCarthy's side got off to the worst possible start in Algeria as they came under siege from the get-go.

The hosts threatened as early as the opening minute when Zoubir Motrani fired high and wide of the near post after making his way into the box on the left and they hit the front with their next chance on 11 minutes.

Ahmed Kendouci threaded Benayad through on goal and the striker beat Veli Mothwa with a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner of the net from outside the area.

Mothwa denied Benayad a second goal on 25 minutes with a fine save after he managed to get a shot off inside the box from Zoubir Motrani's pass.

Usuthu's best opportunities came from set pieces as Thembela Sikhakhane dragged an effort wide of the left post after connecting with Keagan Buchanan's 29th-minute free-kick before Luvuyo Memela just cleared the crossbar from a dead-ball situation on the edge of the area in the 38th minute.

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Mothwa was called into action again on 43 minutes to keep out a long-range strike from Benayad and he pulled off another save from the same player in stoppage time, but Djahnit was on hand to slot home on the rebound.

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As reported by Sports Brief, Mamelodi Sundowns made history by becoming the first South African team to complete the double over Al Ahly in African competitions.

A Peter Shalulile strike in the 23rd minute ensured that the Brazilians replicated their 1-0 victory over Pitso Mosimane's side two weekends ago at the Cairo International Stadium away.