CR Belouizdad’s Ramovic Demands Strong CAF Cup Start Amid Team Challenges
ALGIERS – CR Belouizdad coach Sven Ramovic has set a clear mandate for his team ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup group stage debut: secure immediate victory to establish momentum in what promises to be a demanding continental campaign.
Respect for Opposition, Demand for Results
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Serbo-German tactician expressed measured respect for their opening opponents, Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, while emphasizing the non-negotiable need for three points.
“It will be a complicated match against a team we respect greatly,” Ramovic stated. “They have three players I knew from Young Africans.”
His familiarity with Tanzanian football from his time with Young Africans adds strategic insight to the encounter, but Ramovic left no ambiguity about expectations: “Since we’re playing at Nelson Mandela Stadium, we must win to start our campaign strong.”
Ambitions Beyond the Group Stage
When questioned about CR Belouizdad’s broader tournament objectives, Ramovic projected confidence without overpromising, acknowledging the competitive landscape while outlining realistic ambitions.
“There are several strong clubs in this CAF Cup, and CR Belouizdad wants to go far in this competition,” he explained. “What matters to us is to advance as far as possible, and that starts with a victory in our first group stage match against Singida Black Stars.”
The coach emphasized a match-by-match approach, adding: “We can go far, and we will focus on each match to make our supporters happy.”
Addressing Tactical and Disciplinary Challenges
Ramovic confronted two significant team issues head-on – offensive struggles and recent disciplinary matters.
Regarding the team’s attacking difficulties, the coach offered no excuses: “Yes, we have difficulties in attack, and we will work to improve our offensive output. We have confidence in our players.”
More notably, Ramovic addressed the highly publicized incident involving Abderrahmane Meziane, who refused to shake the coach’s hand during a substitution against USM Alger. The resolution demonstrates Ramovic’s managerial philosophy balancing discipline with reconciliation.
“Meziane has agreed to make a 300 million centime donation to charity and to apologize for what happened against USMA,” Ramovic revealed. “Therefore, I have forgiven him. God forgives, so why wouldn’t I forgive my player after he accepted everything I mentioned?”
Continental Implications for Algerian Football
CR Belouizdad’s performance carries significance beyond the club itself, as Algerian clubs seek to reestablish their prominence in African competitions. A strong start against Singida Black Stars would not only position the team favorably in Group B but also contribute to Algeria’s coefficient in CAF rankings.
The match at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki represents more than three points – it’s an opportunity for CR Belouizdad to signal their continental ambitions while addressing internal challenges under Ramovic’s leadership.
Primary source: DZfoot