Marumo Gallants suffered their first defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages after going down 2-0 to USM Alger on Sunday night.
Gallants made two changes from their win over FC St Eloi Lupopo, with Edgar Manaka and Lebohang Mabotja returning to the starting line-up.
It was a rather comfortable opening for the visitors who could've gone ahead on six minutes from a nicely weighted free-kick to the area, but Ranga Chivaviro nodded wide.
Gallants' momentous spell of play dropped around the midway stage as the host regained advantage and began to cause problems in the latter area of the field.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa battled to maintain their shape at the back as USM pulled wide to the area and drilled crosses in the area which Khaled Bousseilou was unable to profit from.
Alger made their period of dominance count after Abderrahmane Mezzaine curled in from the edge of the area after Gallants failed to deal with a corner into the box.
The host remained confident early in the second half and threatened to get a second goal where Mezzaine's strong drive from range stung the gloves of goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Mezzaine caused more problems minutes thereafter through a smart attempt way from the offensive area, but Arubi yet again came up trumps and parried for a corner-kick.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa looked to get in the game and that forced them to bring on Mahlatse Makudubela for Katlego Otladisa in a straight substitution inside the final phase of the match.
USM Alger, however, made the tie safe two minutes from full-time after Zaid Belaid got on the end of a pin-point free-kick and beat Arubi with a cool finish off the head.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were unable to get a consolation nor complete a turnaround and were handed their first defeat in Group A.
Confirmed line-ups:
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Gumede, Mvelase, Mabotja, Manaka, Nonyane, Ngema, Otladisa, Nku, Koapeng, Chivaviro
Subs: Watenga, Khiba, Makudubela, Mdlinzo, Mphambaniso, Sibeko, Moseamedi, Nkosi
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