Algeria: MC Alger continue domestic domination with Super Cup triumph

Substitute Zakaria Naidji scored the only goal on Saturday as MC Alger successfully defended their Algerian Super Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Algiers rivals USM Alger.

In a fiercely contested clash between the two rivals, it was Naidji’s header that sparked the pyrotechnics at the Stade Nelson Mandela. Both sets of supporters created an excellent atmosphere for the match but the trophy went to MC Alger, who have now avoided defeat in their last seven matches against USMA.

As expected from a battle between the two best defenses in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle, opportunities were at a premium. Hopeful efforts from distance and poor finishing was the story of the first half as neither team could find a goal.

It was more of the same in the second half but the reigning Ligue 1 champions found the breakthrough in the 74th minute. A free kick from the left wing found the head of Naidji, whose header took a slight deflection that left USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbot helpless as the ball bounced by him.

⌚ | الخامسة بتوقيت المولودية 🤩 pic.twitter.com/KbKa4dyeo6

— Mouloudia Club d’Alger (@THEDEAN1921) January 17, 2026

The end of January will be busy for both teams with the return of action from CAF interclub competitions. MC Alger will resume their CAF Champions League campaign next Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo against Saint-Éloi Lupopo while USMA clash with Malian club Djoliba in Algiers to continue the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.