CR Belouizdad coach Nabil Maâloul highlighted the challenging start to the season due to inherited player suspensions, noting that the team still managed to lead the Algerian league. Maâloul voiced frustration over officiating during the match against USM Alger, revealing he considered resigning, only to be urged by the club's management to continue leading the squad across all competitions. The coach launched a scathing attack on the CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the last-minute postponement of the match against Mauritanian club AS Douanes. Furthermore, Maâloul observed that the CAF Confederation Cup appears more competitive this season than the Champions League, despite acknowledging that the latter remains superior in terms of technical and physical standards.