CR Belouizdad head coach Abdelkader Amrani expressed his disappointment following his team’s 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Sunday, acknowledging that the loss was deserved but criticising the “unsportsmanlike” behaviour of the opposition. The match, which took place at Orlando Stadium, saw the Algerian giants put up a brave fight against the PSL side, but it ultimately ended in a narrow loss that left Amrani and his players frustrated.
The encounter was tightly contested, with both teams showing moments of quality, but it was Orlando Pirates who came out on top, securing the three points with a well-taken goal in the second half and a late penalty that sealed the win. CR Belouizdad took the lead early in the match, but the Pirates quickly responded and controlled large parts of the game, ultimately edging the North African side.
Amrani, who has led CR Belouizdad through several highs in African football, acknowledged that Orlando Pirates deserved their victory on the day. He admitted that his team did not perform to the best of their abilities and that the result reflected the difference in quality between the two sides, particularly in key moments of the match. However, the Algerian coach made it clear that he believed the outcome had been tainted by what he described as “unsportsmanlike” behaviour from Pirates players.
“I must accept that we lost fairly in the end,” Amrani said after the match. “Orlando Pirates played well and they earned their victory. But I feel the way they conducted themselves on the pitch was not acceptable. There were moments in the game where their actions went beyond the normal boundaries of sportsmanship. This is not the way a game should be played, especially in such an important competition.”
While Amrani did not go into specific details about the incidents he found troubling, his comments seemed to suggest that he was referring to a combination of diving, time-wasting, and overly aggressive play from Pirates players. Throughout the match, there were several confrontations between players, and the referee had to intervene multiple times to calm the situation. Amrani made it clear that he did not condone such behaviour and felt that it marred what was otherwise a competitive match.
The criticism from Amrani comes after what has been a turbulent period for CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League. The defeat to Pirates marks another setback for the Algerian side as they continue to battle for progression in the prestigious African competition. Despite the loss, the coach remained optimistic about his team’s potential and vowed to ensure his players learn from the experience.
“We are disappointed, but we will take the lessons from this game,” Amrani continued. “We have quality players, and we will work hard to improve. We still have games to play, and I believe we can recover and make it through to the next stages of the competition.”
The loss to Orlando Pirates was a tough blow for CR Belouizdad, who have historically been a strong contender in African club football. With this defeat, they face a challenging task to qualify for the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League. Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates, who have been improving in recent years, celebrated a hard-earned victory that keeps their hopes alive in the competition.
Fans on social media were quick to react to Amrani’s post-match comments, with many supporting the CR Belouizdad coach’s stance on the unsportsmanlike behaviour he mentioned. Others, however, pointed out that such frustrations were often part of the game, especially in high-stakes matches where emotions run high. Pirates fans, on the other hand, defended their team’s conduct, stating that they were simply playing to win and should not be blamed for using every tool at their disposal to secure a vital victory.
Despite the controversy surrounding the match, both teams will now look to regroup and focus on their respective goals in the CAF Champions League. Orlando Pirates will be encouraged by their performance and will hope to build momentum as they aim for a deep run in the competition, while CR Belouizdad will be looking to bounce back and rediscover their form as they pursue continental glory.
In the end, the clash between the two sides highlighted the intense rivalry and competitive nature of African club football, with each team fighting not just for three points, but for pride and respect on the continental stage. As Amrani said, “This is football, and sometimes the results are not what we expect, but we must always strive to improve and learn.”
