Coupe d’Algérie: Rematch set after USM Alger and CR Belouizdad advance

USM Alger will look to defend their Coupe d’Algérie title against a familiar opponent after the reigning champions and fellow Algiers giants CR Belouizdad secured semifinal victories on Friday.

USMA faced a difficult challenge from top second division club CA Batna, but young forward Mohamed Bouderbala scored twice in extra time to give his club a 3-1 victory.

Heavy rain caused a delay with the teams tied at 1-1 but Les Usmistes prevailed. Senegalese midfielder Aime Tendeng opened the scoring with his first goal for the club in the 11th minute but the Ligue 2 club battled back to level before halftime through Tariq Mohamed Ghettout.

It was a tense second half for favorites USMA, but Bouderbala provided relief to the popular club who have endured a poor league campaign in the top flight Ligue 1. Despite languishing in 12th place on the Ligue 1 table, they are thriving in the domestic cup as well as the CAF Confederation Cup where they will face Egyptian giants Zamalek in the final beginning on May 9.

Rematch from last year’s Coupe d’Algérie final set

CR Belouizdad utilized two goals from Tunisian forward Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda to earn a 3-2 victory over hosts and fellow Ligue 1 club CS Constantine in Friday’s later semifinal.

 

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Eliminated by Zamalek in the Confederation Cup semifinals last weekend, CRB bounced back to earn an opportunity at revenge after falling to USMA 0-2 in the domestic cup final last season.

They are attempting to move their way up the league table, with games in hand due to their continental duties. Currently in 6th place with four games in hand on the teams above them, a runner-up finish in the league is still a strong possibility for Les Rouges.

The final will take place on May 2. It will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs in the cup final, with each club winning three times in these encounters.