Algeria Ligue 1: USM Alger earn first victory of the season

USM Alger were among the winners from the third round as the early stages of the 2025-26 season continued in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle.

Ahmed Khaldi’s header early in the second half gave USMA a 1-0 victory at Paradou AC. The former CS Constantine player got on the end of a corner kick to make it one win and one draw for the Algiers club through two games after playing to a scoreless draw with rivals MC Alger in their opening match.

With Algeria’s top clubs beginning league play a week later than most teams, Olympique Akbou are the current leaders following a 0-0 draw at JS Kabylie in Saturday’s late match. Last season’s runners-up JSK are off to a slow start with draws against weaker opposition to begin the campaign.

It was a similar story for CR Belouizdad, who fell behind to hosts USM Khenchela but managed to earn a point with a 1-1 result. Former Espérance Tunis forward Mohamed Ben Hammouda scored his first goal for the club since being acquired from Egyptian club Ghazl El Mahalla.

On Saturday, CS Constantine and JS Saoura each won while ES Sétif and MC Oran were forced to settle for draws. CSC, surprise semifinalists during the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup last season, have two victories from three matches after defeating newly promoted MB Rouisset by a 2-0 score.

Star playmaker Brahim Dib confirmed three points for hosts CSC after new acquisition Mostafa Berkane scored his first goal for the club in the first half.

The league will continue next weekend with the fourth round after the ongoing September FIFA window concludes.

Results

Sunday

USM Khenchela 1-1 CR Belouizdad

Paradou AC 0-1 USM Alger

JS Kabylie 0-0 Olympique Akbou

Saturday

MC El Bayadh 1-1 ES Sétif

CS Constantine 2-0 MB Rouisset

MC Oran 0-0 ES Mostaganem

JS Saroua 1-0 ASO Chlef