Algeria: USM Alger and CR Belouizdad win midweek games

Defending Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle champions MC Alger continue to benefit from other results as JS Kabylie dropped points while USM Alger and CR Belouizdad earned important victories in midweek action on Wednesday.

USMA had no issues away at ES Setif, where the reigning Coupe d’Algerie winners dominated early to secure a 3-1 victory. Zakaria Draoui and Khaled Bousseliou were among the scorers for the visitors, who ended a four-match winless streak in league play after progressing to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage over the weekend.

In Béchar, tentative leaders JS Saoura did brilliantly to comeback from a two-goal deficit to draw last season’s runners-up JS Kabylie for a 2-2 result.

Aymen Mahious’ excellent header from a corner kick put JSK ahead early in the second half and it appeared that the CAF Champions League group stage participants would ease to victory when an own goal arrived in their favor ten minutes later. However, JSS surged back in the final half hour and confirmed a point when Abdelkader Boutiche converted from the penalty spot in the 81st minute.

JS Saoura are now two points clear at the top but will likely concede the lead to MC Alger as the defending champions make up games in hand.

CR Belouizdad are having their own struggles but similarly to USMA, the Algiers giants earned maximum points for a successful return from continental duty on Wednesday. Youcef Laouafi’s early goal was enough for CRB to edge ASO Chlef away from home after securing a place in the Confederation Cup group stage over the weekend.

Champions MC Alger will return to domestic action on Thursday when they face USM Khenchela without traveling support due to restrictions placed on MCA supporters by the Algerian Football Federation. After barely qualifying for the CAF Champions League group stage, coach Rulani Mokwena’s men have plenty to prove.