Algeria Ligue 1: CR Belouizdad and USMA play to draw

One of the top rivalries in Algerian football ended scoreless on Saturday after CR Belouizdad (CRB) and USM Alger (USMA) cancelled each other out in a match from Algeria’s top flight Ligue 1 Professionnelle.

The match was a scrappy affair with much at stake when it came to bragging rights between two of the clubs in Algiers. CRB left back Naoufel Khacef had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring inside ten minutes when an excellent pass sent him in on goal, but he failed to get good contact on his shot and USMA keeper Oussama Benbout smothered the ball.

Houssem Ghacha had the best chance for USMA in the first half after thirty minutes but his shot was tipped wide by Farid Chaal in the CRB goal. In a match short on opportunities, it was only fair that neither team left with maximum points. Both teams remain outside the top-5 with games in hand on a few teams above them.

Elsewhere on Saturday, MC Oran temporarily moved back into top spot to continue a strong start. MCO defeated top division newcomers MB Rouissat 3-1 for a third consecutive victory.

MCO, led by experienced Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido, continue to display good form as the “Best of the Rest” outside of Algeria’s traditional Algiers heavyweights.

USM Khenchela were the other winners from Saturday while ES Setif and Olympique Akbou played to a 1-1 draw in the final match from the day. Top sides MC Alger and JS Kabylie will be in action on Sunday with defending champions MCA facing MC El Bayadh.