Algeria Ligue 1: A strong finish leaves MC Alger one win away from retaining title

MC Alger can retain their title as champions of Algerian football with one more victory after MCA secured a 5-2 victory over ES Mostaganem in their latest Ligue 1 Professionnelle clash on Thursday evening.

Guinean striker Mohamed Bangoura scored twice to make it five goals in his last five matches while Soufiane Bayazid and Larbi Tabti also added goals for the defending champions. Bangoura and fellow West African, Ivorian attacker Kipre Zunon, put MCA ahead 2-0 just past the twenty minute mark.

ESM responded well to level the match with a goal just before halftime before equalizing in the 69th minute…all while the relegation fighters played with a numerical disadvantage following a first half red card. However, MCA scored three times in the final half hour to make it seven league games without a defeat.

JS Kabylie and CR Belouizdad kept their slim title hopes alive, each winning 2-0 on Thursday. Aymen Mahious and Mohamed Belkhir scored for CRB in their victory at CS Constantine while Ryad Boudebouz and Kouceila Boualia provided the goals for JSK against ES Setif.

However, at this point the title is MCA’s to lose. A difficult test away form home at ASO Chlef awaits on Tuesday but the champions only need one victory which is likely to arrive on the final day at home against NC Magra. Both JSK and CRB must win their remaining two matches to have any chance at catching MCA.

Results

Wednesday

USM Khenchela 1-0 USM Alger

ASO Chlef 1-2 JS Saoura

MC Oran 3-2 MC El Bayadh

Olympique Akbou 2-0 US Biskra

Thursday

JS Kabylie 2-0 ES Setif

MC Alger 5-2 ES Mostaganem

Paradou AC 2-0 NC Magra

CS Constantine 0-2 CR Belouizdad

League Table (28 of 30 games played)