USM Alger appoint Abdelhak Benchikha for third spell in charge

Algerian club USM Alger have officially announced the appointment of Abdelhak Benchikha as head coach on a one-year deal. This marks the 61-year-old’s third stint with the club, following previous spells in 2011 and 2022.

Benchikha first led USM Alger briefly in 2011, overseeing just five matches in a one-month tenure.

His second spell came in 2022 and lasted a full year, during which he took charge of 34 matches and guided the team to two major trophies — the CAF Confederation Cup, defeating Tanzania’s Young Africans in the final, and the CAF Super Cup, earned with victory over Egypt’s Al Ahly.

The veteran coach returns to the Algerian side after a short stint with Modern Sport in Egypt last season, where he recorded 5 wins, 3 draws, and 5 defeats in 13 matches.

Coaching Journey

Benchikha’s long managerial career has included spells with clubs across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf, including:

• Simba SC (Tanzania)

• USM Alger (Algeria)

• RS Berkane (Morocco)

• Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi (Morocco)

• Al-Ittihad (Libya)

• ES Sétif (Algeria)

• Raja Casablanca (Morocco)

• Club Africain (Tunisia)

• MC Alger (Algeria)

• Umm Salal (Qatar)

• CR Belouizdad (Algeria)

• Ittihad Kalba (UAE)

• Ittihad Tanger (Morocco)

Major Career Titles

• CAF Confederation Cup (2022/23) – USM Alger

• CAF Super Cup (2022/23, 2023/24) – RS Berkane, USM Alger

• Tunisian League (2007/08) – Club Africain

• Moroccan Throne Cup (2013/14) – Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi

• Qatar Second Division (2005/06) – Umm Salal