Algeria Ligue 1: MC Alger increase lead after CRB fire blanks

All three main title contenders were in action on Thursday in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Profesionnelle and it was a dream scenario for defending champions MC Alger.

MCA were able to watch closest challengers CR Belouizdad stumble to a 0-0 draw at midtable side MC El Bayadh before securing a routine victory at MC Oran. Soufiane Bayazid scored inside ten minutes and Zakaria Naidji doubled the lead early in the second half to move MCA seven points clear of CRB.

USM Alger did not have it particularly easy at home against relegation fighters ES Mostaganem but an own goal from the visitors handed USMA a 1-0 victory. A weak USMA attack continues to struggle but the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup winners hope that recent signing Riad Benayad from Espérance de Tunis can find his shooting boots after a long-term injury.

League leading scorer Adil Boulbina found the goal for the first time in four matches as Paradou AC won 2-1 at Olympique Akbou. All goals were scored in the final third of the match with Boulbina doubling the lead in the 88th minute after Taha Tahar opened the scoring.

Results

MC El Bayadh 0-0 CR Belouizdad

Olympique Akbou 1-2 Paradou AC

MC Oran 0-2 MC Alger

USM Alger 1-0 ES Mostaganem

League Table (Top-7)