Ismaily have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League following a 3-2 defeat by CS Constantine at the Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui on Saturday.

After being admitted back into the Champions League last month following Caf’s reversal of the decision to kick the club out of the tournament, Ismaily lost to the Algerian champions to end their quarter-final hopes.

With the victory, Constantine shot back to the summit of Group C and are now just as good as having booked a place in the last eight unless they lose by large margins against Club Africain and TP Mazembe  in their remaining games.

On Saturday, Ismaily appeared primed for victory when they drew first blood through Emad Hamdi 13 minutes into the match.

But Nasreddine Zaalani hit back for the hosts deep into first-half stoppage time.

Namibian forward Benson Shilongo then restored Ismaily’s lead five minutes after the break before midfielder Nassim Yattou responded for the hosts through a 67th-minute equaliser.

With nine minutes before full time,France-born Congolese midfielder Dylan Bahamboula delivered the sucker punch that sank Ismaily with a goal which came courtesy of an assist from defender Houcine Benayada.

Although Constantine conceded two goals in a match for the first time in this campaign, the Algerians remain unbeaten since the preliminary stages.

They now host Tunisian side Club Africain in their next match, while Ismaily welcome TP Mazembe.