Algeria Ligue 1: Ferhat’s late strike gives MC Alger the victory

Zinedine Ferhat’s late goal was enough for MC Alger to stretch their lead to eleven points at the top of the Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle table with a 1-0 victory over CS Constantine on Monday.

The former Algeria international forward fired in the only goal of the match deep into second half stoppage time courtesy of an assist from Zakaria Naidji. With one match remaining for all teams until the midway point of the 2025-26 campaign, reigning champions MC Alger now have a double digit lead.

Coach Rulani Mokwena’s men suffered their first league defeat of the season against MB Rouissat in mid-December but continue to successfully bounce back. Their latest result comes after being held to a 1-1 draw by JS Kabylie but MCA have not won three of their last four matches.

 

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Earlier on Monday, JS Kabylie were held to a 1-1 draw by MB Rouissat. Mostapha Bott’s late equalizer salvaged a point for JSK, who had to play most of the match with ten players after Arthur Bada’s red card in the first half.

Bott saved the day for the Canaries after the JSK youth product poked in the final touch following a frenetic sequence. However, the club continues to endure a difficult league campaign in 8th place, 15 points back of MC Alger.

On Saturday, CR Belouizdad moved into second place with a 2-0 victory away at ES Ben Aknoun. Tunisian forward Mohamed Ben Hammouda continued his excellent form with the match-winning goal. The former Espérance de Tunis striker, recently acquired from Egyptian club Ghazl El Mahalla, now has five goals in his last four matches, all after coming off the bench in each match.

Ben Hammouda’s scoring streak is inspiring CRB, who endured a difficult start to the season while fulfilling domestic and continental duties in the CAF Confederation Cup. Since losing 1-2 to MCA at the beginning of December, CRB now have four victories in their last five matches.

Action from the Ligue 1 Professionnelle will resume on Thursday and Friday with all sixteen clubs in action. MCA will be away at ASO Chlef on Friday before the headline match from the 15th matchday when CRB will host JSK.

Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle Table