logo
MC Alger seal back-to-back Algeria titles despite final-day stalemate

MC Alger seal back-to-back Algeria titles despite final-day stalemate

CAF22-06-2025
Published: Sunday, 22 June 2025
MC Alger clinched a ninth Algerian Ligue 1 crown – and a second in succession – after a goalless draw with already-relegated Nejm Mogra on the final day of the 2024-25 season at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers on Saturday night.
The point was enough to lift Khaled Ben Yahia's side to 58 points, two clear of bitter rivals JS Kabylie, who leapfrogged CR Belouizdad into second thanks to their own victory elsewhere.
It means MC Alger stand alone as the country's third-most decorated league club, trailing only Kabylie (14 titles) and Belouizdad (10).
Knowing a draw would guarantee the championship, the capital club controlled possession from the outset yet found Nejm Mogra's deep-lying defence obstinate.
Early openings for Guinean forward Mohamed Salio Bangura were repelled, and a series of set-pieces from captain Sofiane Bendebka sailed narrowly wide.
Nejm, condemned to the amateur ranks after finishing 15th on 31 points, rarely ventured forward but almost stunned the home crowd when forward Brahim Aït Lahcen flashed a half-volley past the post midway through the first half.
Ben Yahia introduced Burkinabe midfielder Mohamed Zograna for Larbi Thabti at the break, later sending on Abdellah Boucharit and striker Hamza Bayezid in search of a breakthrough.
The reshuffle, however, produced more territory than clear chances; Bangura's looping header in the 78th minute was the closest MC came, goalkeeper Samir Rahmani clawing the effort away.
The final whistle sparked celebrations among more than 45,000 'Chnaoua', who unfurled banners commemorating the club's 1976 African Cup of Champions Clubs triumph – still their solitary continental success.
After falling to Orlando Pirates in last season's TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-finals, MC Alger have vowed to mount a deeper run next term.
Chairman Mohamed Hakim Medane confirmed the board will 'strengthen two key positions' during the close season to help Ben Yahia's squad cope with domestic and African commitments.
For Nejm Mogra, relegation ends a brief two-year stay in the top flight, while third-placed Belouizdad qualify for CAF inter-club competition via the league for a sixth straight season. Key numbers MC Alger – 58 pts
JS Kabylie – 56 pts
CR Belouizdad – 55 pts
Titles in Algerian Ligue 1: JS Kabylie – 14 CR Belouizdad – 10 MC Alger – 9
MC Alger will return to action in late August when they begin their Champions League campaign in the second qualifying round.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bougherra names Algeria's final CHAN squad amid big-name inclusion
Bougherra names Algeria's final CHAN squad amid big-name inclusion

CAF

time3 days ago

  • CAF

Bougherra names Algeria's final CHAN squad amid big-name inclusion

Published: Wednesday, 23 July 2025 Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra has finalised his 26-man squad for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) and key inclusions have boosted the Local Fennecs' push for continental glory. With CHAN 2024 set to kick off on 2 August in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, Bougherra trimmed his preliminary list of 28 to 26 players, including some of the country's key players Aymen Mahious in the final squad. Mahious joins a strong attacking line-up that also features Meziane, Mechid, and young talents Akhrib and Kohili. In midfield, the presence of experienced players like Benkhemassa and Draoui offers tactical versatility, while the defence boasts a familiar spine from top clubs such as USM Algiers and MC Algiers. The squad released by Algeria coach is seen as extremely strong even though it excludes midfielder Abderaouf Benguit and striker Redouane Berkane—two players seen as potential starters. Benguit, of CR Belouizdad, is believed to have missed out due to injury, while Berkane, who impressed with 10 domestic goals last season, is in advanced talks to join Belgian top-flight club Zulte Waregem, making him ineligible for the local-only tournament. Bougherra's final squad reflects a balance of domestic experience and rising talent, but the loss of Berkane, in particular, limits attacking options. The JS Kabylie forward was tipped to be a breakout star of the tournament before his impending European move ruled him out. The Desert Foxes A', runners-up in the last edition hosted on home soil, will now aim to go one better. Algeria have been drawn in a competitive Group C alongside South Africa, Uganda, Guinea, and Niger. Algeria begin their CHAN campaign against Uganda and are determined to shed the runner-up tag this time. Algeria Final Squad for CHAN 2024: Goalkeepers:Zakaria Bouhalfaya (CS Constantine)Tarek Bousseder (ES Sétif) Abderrahmane Medjadel (ASO Chlef) Defenders:Saadi Radouani (USM Algiers)Adam Alilet (USM Algiers)Ilyes Cheti (USM Algiers)Réda Hlaimia (MC Algiers)Ayoub Ghezala (MC Algiers)Abderrahmane Bekkour (CR Belouizdad)Naoufel Khacef (CR Belouizdad)Fares Nechat Djabri (JS Kabylie) Achref Abada (ASO Chlef) Midfielders:Akram Bouras (MC Algiers)Mohamed Benkhemassa (MC Algiers)Zakaria Draoui (MC Algiers)Bilal Boukerchaoui (CR Belouizdad)Messala Merbah (CS Constantine) Mehdi Boudjemaa (JS Kabylie) Forwards:Abderrahmane Meziane (CR Belouizdad)Aymen Mahious (CR Belouizdad)Mehdi Merghem (USM Algiers)Diaa Eddine Mechid (USM Algiers)Abdenour Belhocini (CS Constantine)Soufiane Bayazid (MC Algiers)Lahlou Akhrib (JS Kabylie) Ben Ahmed Kohili (Paradou AC)

Nice eye Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed after Laborde's departure - Talents Abroad
Nice eye Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed after Laborde's departure - Talents Abroad

Al-Ahram Weekly

time4 days ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Nice eye Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed after Laborde's departure - Talents Abroad

French Ligue 1 club Nice are considering a move for Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed following the departure of Gaëtan Laborde to Saudi second-division side Al-Diraiyah, French sports daily L'Équipe reported on Monday. Mohamed, 27, remains under contract with Nantes until June 2027 and is currently involved in the club's pre-season preparations. The Egypt international has shown strong early form, scoring both goals in a 2-0 friendly win over Stade Lavallois on 12 July and netting again in a 2-1 loss to Guingamp on 19 July. According to L'Équipe, Nice have yet to submit a formal offer for the Egyptian forward but have identified him as a potential reinforcement as they overhaul their attacking options. With Laborde's move now official and fellow striker Evann Guessand also expected to depart, the Riviera side are in the market for support to partner lead striker Terem Moffi. Nice finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season and are aiming to build a squad capable of competing on both domestic and European fronts. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Algeria call up Mahious, Meziane in star-studded provisional squad for CHAN
Algeria call up Mahious, Meziane in star-studded provisional squad for CHAN

CAF

time5 days ago

  • CAF

Algeria call up Mahious, Meziane in star-studded provisional squad for CHAN

Algeria's home-based national team coach, Madjid Bougherra, has named a provisional 28-man squad as preparations begin in earnest for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN). The selected players—drawn exclusively from the domestic league—are set to report to the National Technical Centre in Sidi Moussa on Sunday, 20 July, for a pivotal training camp that will shape the final squad for the tournament in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The squad is headlined by CHAN 2022 top scorer Aymen Mahious and features a strong representation from Algerian league champions MC Alger and runners-up CR Belouizdad, with six players each. USM Alger follows with four call-ups, while JS Kabylie and CS Constantine contribute three players apiece. The rest of the squad is rounded out by representatives from ASO Chlef, ES Sétif, and Paradou AC. This preliminary list is expected to undergo minor adjustments based on player performances during the camp and upcoming friendly matches. Algeria will be based in Group C at CHAN 2024, one of the most competitive groups, facing off against Uganda, South Africa, Guinea, and Niger. القائمة المعنية بتربص المنتخب الوطني للاعبين المحليين استعدادًا لبطولة شان 2024. القائمة أولية وقد تطرأ عليها تغييرات قبل إرسال القائمة النهائية إلى الكونفدرالية الإفريقية لكرة القدم، يوم 22 جويلية 2025 ⁦#LesVerts⁩ | ⁦#123VivaLAlgérie⁩🇩🇿 — Équipe d'Algérie de football (@LesVerts) July 19, 2025 As part of their build-up, the Desert Foxes A' will play two high-profile friendlies —offering a final opportunity for players to stake their claim before the continental showdown begins on August 2. Bougherra, who guided Algeria to the final of CHAN 2022 before losing on penalties to Senegal, is determined to go one better this time. With tactical preparations set to intensify, competition for places in the final squad promises to be fierce. But for now, this group of 28 forms the backbone of Algeria's quest for CHAN glory. Full List of Algeria's Provisional CHAN 2024 Squad Goalkeepers: Zakaria Bouhalfaya (CS Constantine) Tarek Bousseder (ES Sétif) Abderrahmane Medjadel (ASO Chlef) Defenders: Saadi Radouani (USM Alger) Réda Hlaimia (MC Alger) Fares Nechat Djabri (JS Kabylie) Ayoub Ghezala (MC Alger) Adam Alilet (USM Alger) Achref Abada (ASO Chlef) Abderrahmane Bekkour (CR Belouizdad) Naoufel Khacef (CR Belouizdad) Ilyes Cheti (USM Alger) Midfielders: Akram Bouras (MC Algiers) Mohamed Benkhemassa (MC Algiers) Abdelraouf Benguit (CR Belouizdad) Mehdi Boudjemaa (JS Kabylie) Bilal Boukerchaoui (CR Belouizdad) Zakaria Draoui (MC Algiers) Messala Merbah (CS Constantine) Attackers:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store