2023–24 USM Alger season
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| 2023–24 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Groupe SERPORT | ||
| Administration | Sid Ahmed Arab (President) (until 4 January 2024)[1] Hacen Hassina (President) (from 4 January 2024)[1] Taoufik Korichi (Sporting director) (from 16 July 2023)[2] | ||
| Head coach | Abdelhak Benchikha (until 9 October 2023)[3] Farid Zemiti (c) (from 9 October 2023) (until 17 October 2023) Juan Carlos Garrido (from 17 October 2023)[4] | ||
| Stadium | Omar Benrabah Stadium Stade du 5 Juillet | ||
| Ligue 1 | 5th | ||
| Algerian Cup | Semi-finals | ||
| Confederation Cup | Semi-finals | ||
| CAF Super Cup | Winners | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ismaïl Belkacemi (9 goals) All: Ismaïl Belkacemi Abdoulaye Kanou (12 goals) | ||
| | |||
The 2023–24 season, is USM Alger's 46th season and the club's 29th consecutive season in the top flight of Algerian football. In addition to the domestic league, USM Alger are participating in this season's editions of the Algerian Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup. As the reigning Confederation Cup champions, USMA contested the CAF Super Cup.
Review[edit]
Background[edit]
This season is the very first time since 2010–11 without Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche, who announced his retirement after winning CAF Confederation Cup final, therefore leaving USM Alger after 18 years of his career, being the most caped player in club's history with 405 matches and having won 10 trophies altogether since his debut.[5][6] On June 18, 2023 USM Alger which had been equipped by Kappa since 2020, signed with another Italian firm it is Macron. The club's management has signed a three-year contract with its new equipment supplier, which should offer it better material and financial endowment.[7] on the same day USM Alger has just signed an agreement with Espérance de Bab El Oued, a second division women's team, to wear the red and black colors this season. Being in the obligation to have a women's team to be able to register in African competition this season with the last deadline June 20. The renewable agreement runs for one year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.[8]
On July 16, 2023, the President and General Manager of "Groupe SERPORT" Abdelkarim Harkati, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of USM Alger Company Sid Ahmed Arab, held a meeting in preparation for the challenges awaiting the club locally and continually. Ensuring that all financial capabilities are provided and studying the recruitment and demobilized file. During the meeting the position of general manager in the sports company was abolished and the position of sports manager was created. Therefore, Arab appointed Taoufik Korichi as the new sporting director and appointed the former general manager Reda Abdouche as an advisor of the president.[9][10] On the same day, Abdelhak Benchikha stated that he remained in the club and that he started recruiting and that there were players who agreed with them to sign and others who renewed their contracts, as well as the agreement on the place of training and when he would start.[11][12]
Pre-season[edit]
The former sporting director of USM Alger Antar Yahya, won his case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being unfairly and illegally dismissed by the previous administration. The club is now obligated to pay all its compensation in addition to the late payment fine, amounting to 435 thousand euros or approximately 7 billion centems.[13] USM Alger will carry out the inter-season internship, in Tunisia, more precisely in the city of Tabarka. It is with this in mind that the Rouge et Noir will begin their rally on August 17, which will last until September 2.[14] The first friendly match was against CA Bizertin, where the team entered each half with a different line-up, and the match ended with a great victory for USMA with five goals scored by Fettouhi on two occasions, Benzaza, Ait El Hadj and Merili.[15] On August 26, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has communicated the date of the course of CAF Super Cup final against Al Ahly the CAF Champions League champion. This match will take place on September 15 at the King Fahd Sports City in Taif, Saudi Arabia.[16] On August 7, 2023, the club sportif amateur (CSA) submitted a notice to deposit a new mark to the Institut national algérien de la propriété industrielle (INAPI) to change the club’s logo and remove the symbol of the city of Algiers from the logo in accordance with the decision issued by the court, Saïd Allik president of the CSA filed a complaint against société sportive par actions (SSPA) due to the use of a “fake” logo for USM Alger.[17] On the same day the new shirt for the 2023–24 season was presented without the new logo, Abdelhak Benchikha's men now wear outfits from the Italian brand Macron.[18][19]
First-team transfers (summer transfer window)[edit]
Today, I bid farewell to my first home USM Alger, after 5 years I spent in this ancient team, this team that gave me everything, thanks to God, and thanks to our dear team, I joined the U-23 and Algeria A' teams and the Algeria national football team. Love and appreciation especially in the difficult times that I lived through after my injury after the final of the CHAN and in the death of my mother, thanks to the players with whom I spent unforgettable days.
— A message of thanks and farewell from Aymen Mahious on Instagram.[20]
On 20 July 2023, Messala Merbah joined CS Constantine.[21] On 28 July 2023, Houari Baouche joined Merbah at CS Constantine.[22] On August 1, USM Alger announced the recruitment of nine players to strengthen the squad of Abdelhak Benchikha. The players were respectively: the goalkeeper Kamel Soufi, the defenders Juba Chirani, Oussama Barkat and Hocine Dehiri on loan from Paradou AC, the midfielders Kheireddine Toual, Omar Embarek, and the Malian Sékou Konaté and the strikers, Nour El Islam Fettouhi, and Mohamed Amine Bouziane[23][24] One day later, USM Alger announced the arrival of Nabil Lamara.[25] On 6 August 2023, Abderrahmane Meziane joined CR Belouizdad as free agent.[26] On 9 August 2023, Aymen Mahious joined the newly promoted club in the Swiss Super League Yverdon-Sport for three seasons. He sent a message of farewell to the supporters, thanking them for their support for his five years at the club.[27] On 10 August 2023, USM Alger agreed a contract termination with the Libyan Zakaria Alharaish by mutual consent.[28]
On 16 August 2023, USM Alger announced contracts extension for ten players who were respectively Zineddine Belaïd, Adam Alilet, Saâdi Radouani Oussama Benbot, Islam Merili, Khaled Bousseliou, Oussama Chita, Ismail Belkacemi, Mohamed Ait El Hadj and Brahim Benzaza. All the contacts were extended until 2026 except Chita and Belkacemi who extended their contracts until 2025.[29][30][31] On the same day, Haithem Loucif joined his former teammate Mahious at Yverdon-Sport[32] and Imad Benchlef terminated his contract by mutual consent.[33] On 17 August 2023, The Malian striker Abdoulaye Kanou signed for three years.[34][35] On the same day, Khalil Darfalou signed a contract with US Biskra.[36] On 20 August 2023, the former goalkeeper Abdelmoumen Sifour returned to the club signing a two-year contract.[37] On 23 August 2023, Abderraouf Othmani signed a loan contract with Tunisian club CA Bizertin.[38] On 6 September 2023, Ibrahim Bekakchi joined US Souf.[39]
Start of season[edit]
On October 9, 2023, Abdelhak Benchikha submitted his resignation from his position, according to the official page on Facebook. The reason was that he was subjected to insults at the entrance to the Omar Hamadi Stadium.[3] Later via video, Benchikha denied this and said that he resigned for sporting and professional reasons.[40] Sid Ahmed Arab declared his rejection of his resignation and despite the CEO of Groupe SERPORT moving to his home, Benchikha insisted on his decision. On October 14, USMA achieved their first victory in the Ligue 1 by beating USM Khenchela 3-0 under the leadership of assistant coach Farid Zemiti. On October 17, 2023, Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido was appointed new coach for one season. The Usmist management set its sights on Garrido for his experience, particularly in North Africa.[4] On october 19, 2023, The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) announced that it was suspending all football events “until further notice” in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The suspension was announced the day after a strike on a hospital in Gaza, which has been relentlessly shelling the Gaza Strip since the start of the war sparked on October 7 by the bloody attack. of the Palestinian Islamist movement on its soil.[41][42] On November 17, The Confederation of African Football has finalized the list of nominees for the 2023 CAF Awards. For the title of best coach, Abdelhak Benchikha winner of the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Super Cup is nominated. Defender Zineddine Belaïd and striker Aymen Mahious will compete for the title of best African player in club competitions (CAF CL and CAF CC). USM Alger holder of the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Super Cup, is nominated for the title of best club in Africa, along with Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Mamelodi Sundowns and Young Africans.[43]
On November 21, Mohamed-Karim Eddine Harkati, CEO of the Groupe SERPORT, summoned the main leaders of USM Alger to discuss the complicated situation in which the team finds itself and seek solutions to put in place. The Rouge et Noir have just suffered two consecutive defeats in Ligue 1. Poor performances which contrast greatly with the club's recent successes on the continental scene. Harkati requested a rapid recovery and reiterated his confidence in the management staff.[44] On November 30, The CAF announced the official launch of the Association of African Clubs, USM Alger will be one of the member clubs of this association along with three other Algerian clubs, The ACA's objectives include protecting and promoting the interests of African football clubs; ensuring their commercial viability and global competitiveness; developing youth talent and academies; and building partnerships with sponsors, the private sector, and governments to improve football infrastructure and facilities across the continent.[45][46] After the exclusion of USM Alger from the Best Club CAF Awards, Benchikha the candidate for the Best Coach Award decided not to participate in the ceremony that will be held in Marrakesh, in solidarity with his former team, with whom he won two continental titles, also FAF President Walid Sadi called for a boycott of the ceremony following the scandal of Riyad Mahrez’s absence from the list of the top three players.[47][48]
Season run-in[edit]
On December 29, 2023, Djamel Belmadi announced the list of 26 for the CAN, including two players from USM Alger Oussama Benbot and Zineddine Belaïd. This is the first time since the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations that players from the team have been called up.[49] On January 2, 2024, After consultation between its various members, USM Alger announced that it had terminated the functions of the club's sports manager Taoufik Korichi with immediate effect without specifying the reasons for this decision.[50] However two days later the majority shareholder of SSPA/USMA Groupe SERPORT has made changes at the head of the club’s management, and during the meeting of the board of directors held it was decided to appoint Hacen Hassina new president of the board in place of Sid Ahmed Arab.[1] Furthermore Abdelmadjid Rezkane is the new CEO of SSPA/USMA, while Farid Sefar advisor to the former President of the CA was dismissed from his position. Immediately after that Korichi returned to his position as sports director by decision of Harkati.[1][51]
On January 23, 2024 facing the newly promoted ES Ben Aknoun as part of the calendar update, USM Alger scored a fifth victory in a row winning by a score of two goals to one. A victory which allowed him to climb onto the podium for the first time this season in Ligue 1. Upon returning from the locker room the guys from Soustara will quickly get to the heart of the matter. On a well-taken free kick executed by Benzaza, Bacha with a nice header broke the deadlock in the 47th minute. USM Alger has just scored a fifth consecutive victory once again thanks to Belkacemi, author of his fourth goal of the season in the 89th minute.[52][53]
First-team transfers (winter transfer window)[edit]
On 9 January 2024, Tumisang Orebonye signed a cantract termination with the club after disagreement with the head coach Juan Carlos Garrido as reported by many sources. The Botswanian joined Moroccan club AS FAR.[54][55] On 24 January 2024, USM Alger agreed contract termination with Abdesslem Bouchouareb by mutual consent.[56] On January 25, Adel Belkacem Bouzida signed one-year loan contract from Paradou AC.[57] On January 29, Oussama Bellatreche signed two-and-half-year contract coming from JS Saoura, after agreement between the two clubs.[58] On the same day, Nour El Islam Fettouhi joined JS Saoura[59] and Taher Benkhelifa signed contract termination with the club.[60] On 30 January 2024, the Russian club CSKA Moscow signed a contract with the under-21 team's player Sid Ahmed Aissaoui. The two clubs agreed a transfer fee of $150,000, USM Alger also negotiated a percentage on resale.[61] On 31 January 2024, after terminating his contract with JS Kabylie, Salim Boukhanchouche has signed up for a period of two years.[62] On the same day The Cameroonian club Dynamo Douala announced the transfer of international striker Leonel Ateba to USM Alger for a period of two and a half years. The signing of the player cost 250,000 euros.[63][64] On 5 February 2024, Kheireddine Toual was loaned to ES Ben Aknoun until the end of the season.[65]
RS Berkane matches crisis[edit]
During the campaign to defend the CAF Confederation Cup title, USM Alger faced Moroccan club RS Berkane in the semi-final. Three days before the match, RS Berkane club traveled to Algeria. Due to ambiguity regarding the match shirts which show the map of Morocco including Western Sahara. Algeria also broke off diplomatic relations with its Moroccan neighbor because of this issue.[66][67] Algerian customs asked to see these jerseys and did not allow the delegation to take them.[68][69] On the day of the match RS Berkane refused to play the match without his jersey. On April 24, 2024, it was announced that the organizing committee of the competition had sanctioned USM Alger by forfeiting it with a 3–0 defeat for the first leg.[70][71]
Despite the lingering crisis due to the first leg, USM Alger traveled to Morocco on April 26.[72] During the technical meeting before the match RS Berkane indicated that she planned to wear the set of jerseys flocked with the map of Morocco with Western Sahara.[73] USM Alger refused to play the match and the officials waited a quarter of an hour before realizing that one of the two teams had not left the locker room.[74][75] On May 2, Confederation of African Football designated RS Berkane as finalist of the CAF Confederation Cup and declared to transmit the file to the disciplinary committee for possible other sanctions against the Algerian Football Federation.[76][77]
On May 2, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced that it had rejected the request for interim relief to suspend the decision of the CAF appeal jury which validated the use of the RS Berkane jersey, in the absence of a response from of the Confederation of African Football. However, the case remains open on the merits and the court is in the process of collecting the elements of each party.[78][79] On May 10, the Lausanne court once again rejected a request from USM Alger to suspend the Confederation Cup final, pending the conclusion of arbitration proceedings with CAF in the RS Berkane affair.[80][81]
Squad list[edit]
Players and squad numbers last updated on 5 February 2024.[82][83]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Name | Nat. | Position | Date of Birth (Age) | Signed in | Contract ends | Signed from | Apps | Goals | Transfer fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||
| 1 | Abdelmoumen Sifour |  | GK | 3 March 1998 (aged 25) | 2023 | 2025 | RC Arbaâ | 9 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 16 | Kamel Soufi | | GK | 5 June 1996 (aged 27) | 2023 | 2025 | MC Oran | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 25 | Oussama Benbot | | GK | 11 October 1994 (aged 28) | 2021 | 2026 | JS Kabylie | 59 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| Defenders | |||||||||||
| 3 | Juba Chirani | | LB | 4 January 1998 (aged 25) | 2023 | 2025 | Olympique Akbou | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 4 | Zineddine Belaïd (C.) | | CB | 20 March 1999 (aged 24) | 2020 | 2026 | NA Hussein Dey | 105 | 10 | Undisclosed | |
| 5 | Mustapha Bouchina | | CB | 10 August 1991 (aged 32) | 2020 | 2024 | Paradou AC | 78 | 1 | 11,000,000 DA | |
| 12 | Oussama Barkat | | RB | 29 January 2001 (aged 22) | 2023 | 2026 | MO Constantine | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 15 | Nabil Lamara | | LB | 15 August 1993 (aged 30) | 2023 | 2025 |  Club Africain | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 19 | Saâdi Radouani (V.C.) | | RB | 18 March 1995 (aged 28) | 2020 | 2026 | ES Sétif | 82 | 5 | Free transfer | |
| 20 | Hocine Dehiri | | CB | 16 September 2000 (aged 23) | 2023 | 2024 | Paradou AC | 0 | 0 | Loan | |
| 21 | Adam Alilet | | CB | 17 January 1999 (aged 24) | 2019 | 2026 | Reserve team | 69 | 6 | Academy Player | |
| 81 | Abdessamed Bounacer | | CB | 11 December 2004 (aged 18) | 2022 | 2025 | Reserve team | 6 | 0 | Academy Player | |
| Midfielders | |||||||||||
| 6 | Oussama Chita | | DM | 31 October 1996 (aged 26) | 2017 | 2025 | MC Alger | 138 | 3 | Free transfer | |
| 8 | Islam Merili | | AM | 27 June 1998 (aged 25) | 2022 | 2026 | ASO Chlef | 37 | 4 | Free transfer | |
| 10 | Sékou Konaté |  | AM | 17 January 1998 (aged 25) | 2023 | 2026 | Stade Malien | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 13 | Omar Embarek | | DM | 11 November 1998 (aged 24) | 2023 | 2026 | MC El Bayadh | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 14 | Brahim Benzaza | | DM | 8 April 1997 (aged 26) | 2021 | 2026 | ASO Chlef | 52 | 2 | Free transfer | |
| 18 | Salim Boukhanchouche | | DM | 6 October 1991 (aged 32) | 2024 | 2026 | JS Kabylie | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 26 | Akram Djahnit | | AM | 3 April 1991 (aged 32) | 2022 | 2024 | ES Sétif | 34 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 38 | Abdelkrim Namani | | AM | 13 May 2003 (aged 20) | 2022 | 2024 | Reserve team | 9 | 1 | Academy Player | |
| 72 | Mohamed Ait El Hadj | | AM | 22 March 2002 (aged 21) | 2020 | 2026 | Reserve team | 39 | 3 | Academy Player | |
| Forwards | |||||||||||
| 2 | Abderrahmane Bacha | | ST | 21 December 1999 (aged 22) | 2022 | 2024 | JS Bordj Ménaïel | 16 | 1 | Free transfer | |
| 7 | Ismail Belkacemi | | LW | 24 June 1993 (aged 30) | 2020 | 2025 | CS Constantine | 98 | 28 | Free transfer | |
| 9 | Abdoulaye Kanou | | ST | 7 October 2000 (aged 22) | 2023 | 2026 | Djoliba AC | 0 | 0 | Undisclosed | |
| 11 | Mohamed Amine Bouziane | | LW | 5 February 1996 (aged 27) | 2023 | 2025 | US Monastir | 0 | 0 | Free transfer | |
| 17 | Oussama Bellatreche | | RW | 3 July 1995 (aged 28) | 2024 | 2026 | JS Saoura | 0 | 0 | Undisclosed | |
| 23 | Khaled Bousseliou | | LW | 3 October 1997 (aged 25) | 2022 | 2026 | CR Belouizdad | 22 | 4 | Free transfer | |
| 24 | Leonel Ateba |  | ST | 6 February 1999 (aged 24) | 2024 | 2026 | Dynamo Douala | 0 | 0 | 250,000 € | |
| 27 | Adel Belkacem Bouzida | | RW | 28 February 2002 (aged 21) | 2024 | 2025 | Paradou AC | 0 | 0 | Loan | |
Transfers[edit]
In[edit]
Summer[edit]
| Date | Pos | Player | Moving from | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 July 2023 | FW | Abderrahmane Bacha | USM Khenchela | Loan return | |
| 1 August 2023 | GK | Kamel Soufi | MC Oran | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | FW | Nour El Islam Fettouhi | ASO Chlef | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | LB | Juba Chirani | Olympique Akbou | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | RB | Oussama Barkat | MO Constantine | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | CB | Hocine Dehiri | Paradou AC | Loan for one year | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | MF | Kheireddine Toual | RC Arbaâ | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | MF | Omar Embarek | MC El Bayadh | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | AM | Sékou Konaté | Stade Malien | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 1 August 2023 | LW | Mohamed Amine Bouziane | US Monastir | Free transfer | [23][24] |
| 2 August 2023 | LB | Nabil Lamara | Club Africain | Free transfer | [25] |
| 17 August 2023 | FW | Abdoulaye Kanou | Djoliba AC | Free transfer | [34][35] |
| 20 August 2023 | GK | Abdelmoumen Sifour | RC Arbaâ | Free transfer | [37] |
Winter[edit]
| Date | Pos | Player | Moving from | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 January 2024 | FW | Adel Belkacem Bouzida | Paradou AC | Loan | [57] |
| 29 January 2024 | FW | Oussama Bellatreche | JS Saoura | Undisclosed | [58] |
| 31 January 2024 | MF | Salim Boukhanchouche | JS Kabylie | Free transfer | [62] |
| 31 January 2024 | FW | Leonel Ateba | Dynamo Douala | 250,000 € | [63][84] |
Out[edit]
Summer[edit]
| Date | Pos | Player | Moving to | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2023 | GK | Lamine Zemmamouche | Retired | — | [5] |
| 16 July 2023 | FW | Abdelkrim Zouari | Unattached | Free transfer | |
| 20 July 2023 | MF | Messala Merbah | CS Constantine | Free transfer | [21] |
| 28 July 2023 | DF | Houari Baouche | CS Constantine | Free transfer | [22] |
| 6 August 2023 | FW | Abderrahmane Meziane | CR Belouizdad | Free transfer | [26] |
| 9 August 2023 | FW | Aymen Mahious |  Yverdon-Sport | Free transfer | [27] |
| 10 August 2023 | FW |  Zakaria Alharaish | Unattached | Free transfer (Released) | [28] |
| 16 August 2023 | DF | Haithem Loucif | Yverdon-Sport | Free transfer | [32] |
| 16 August 2023 | GK | Imad Benchlef | Unattached | Free transfer (Released) | [33] |
| 17 August 2023 | FW | Khalil Darfalou | US Biskra | Free transfer | [36] |
| 23 August 2023 | FW | Abderraouf Othmani | CA Bizertin | Loan | [38] |
| 6 September 2023 | DF | Ibrahim Bekakchi | US Souf | Free transfer | [39] |
| 10 September 2023 | DF | Abdelkader Belharrane | MC Oran | Free transfer |
Winter[edit]
| Date | Pos | Player | Moving to | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 January 2024 | FW |  Tumisang Orebonye |  AS FAR | 200,000 € | [85][55] |
| 24 January 2024 | FW | Abdesslem Bouchouareb | Unattached | Free transfer (Released) | [56] |
| 29 January 2024 | FW | Nour El Islam Fettouhi | JS Saoura | Free transfer | [59] |
| 29 January 2024 | MF | Taher Benkhelifa | Unattached | Free transfer (Released) | [60] |
| 5 February 2024 | MF | Kheireddine Toual | ES Ben Aknoun | Loan | [65] |
| 20 February 2024 | MF | Sid Ahmed Aissaoui |  CSKA Moscow | 250,000 $ | [86][87][88] |
New contracts[edit]
| No. | Pos | Player | Contract length | Contract end | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | CB | Zineddine Belaïd | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 6 | DM | Oussama Chita | 2 years | 2025 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 7 | LW | Ismail Belkacemi | 2 years | 2025 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 8 | AM | Islam Merili | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 14 | DM | Brahim Benzaza | 3 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 19 | RB | Saâdi Radouani | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 21 | CB | Adam Alilet | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 23 | LW | Khaled Bousseliou | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 25 | GK | Oussama Benbot | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
| 72 | MF | Mohamed Ait El Hadj | 2 years | 2026 | 16 August 2023 | [29][30][31] |
Pre-season and friendlies[edit]
| 21 August 2023 Friendly | CA Bizertin | 0–5 | USM Alger | Tabarka, Tunisia |
| 16:00 UTC+1 |
|
| 28 August 2023 Friendly | ES Métlaoui | 0–3 | USM Alger | Tabarka, Tunisia |
| 17:00 UTC+1 |
| 1 September 2023 Friendly | AS Marsa | 1–5 | USM Alger | Tabarka, Tunisia |
| 17:00 UTC+1 |
|
| 6 September 2023 Friendly | USM Alger | 2–1 | JS Saoura | Baraki |
| 17:00 UTC+1 |
|
|
| 9 September 2023 Friendly | USM Alger | 2–0 | RC Kouba | Bologhine |
| 17:00 UTC+1 |
| Stadium: Omar Hamadi Stadium |
Competitions[edit]
Overview[edit]
| Competition | Record | Started round | Final position / round | First match | Last match | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| Ligue 1 | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 50.00 | — | To be confirmed | 27 September 2023 | 8 June 2024 |
| Algerian Cup | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 3 | +20 | 80.00 | Round of 64 | Semi-finals | 4 February 2024 | 24 April 2024 |
| Confederation Cup | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 50.00 | Second round | To be confirmed | 23 September 2023 | In Progress |
| CAF Super Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 | Final | Winners | 15 September 2023 | |
| Total | 40 | 22 | 7 | 11 | 65 | 32 | +33 | 55.00 | ||||
Updated to match played 21 May 2024
Source: Competitions
Ligue 1[edit]
League table[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | CS Constantine | 25 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 41 | 26 | +15 | 45 | Qualification for CAF Confederation Cup |
| 4 | ES Sétif | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 33 | 34 | −1 | 41 | |
| 5 | USM Alger | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 39 | |
| 6 | Paradou AC | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 27 | 18 | +9 | 36 | |
| 7 | JS Kabylie | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 26 | 24 | +2 | 36 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) total goals; 6) fairplay ranking; 7) playoff.
Results summary[edit]
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 39 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 13 | +8 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 11 | −2 |
Last updated: 21 May 2024.
Source: Competitive matches
Results by round[edit]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches[edit]
The league fixtures were announced on 24 August 2023.[89]
All times are local, WAT (UTC+1).
Win Draw Loss Postponed
| 27 September 2023 Round 1 | Paradou AC | 1–0 | USM Alger | Dar El Beïda |
| 16:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Omar Benrabah Stadium Referee: Mohamed Bouteraa Assistant referees: Mehdi Walid Benali, Youcef Sohbi Fourth official: Amine Hamadeche |
| 7 October 2023 Round 4 | JS Kabylie | 1–0 | USM Alger | Tizi Ouzou |
| 19:00 |
| Report | Stadium: 1 November 1954 Stadium Referee: Houssam Benyahia Assistant referees: Samir Bioud, Mohamed Hmaïdi Fourth official: Massinissa Serdjane |
| 14 October 2023 Round 2 | USM Alger | 3–0 | USM Khenchela | Dar El Beïda |
| 15:30 | Report | Stadium: Omar Benrabah Stadium Referee: Youcef Tayeb Bouderbal Assistant referees: Yacine Ouerd Benslama, Mustapha Kessar Fourth official: Malek Aït Ameur |
| 10 November 2023 Round 5 | USM Alger | 2–1 | CR Belouizdad | Algiers |
| 17:00 | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Attendance: 0 (close doors) Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal Assistant referees: Akram Zerhouni, Mokrane Gourari Fourth official: Lyés Bekouassa |
| 14 November 2023 Round 3 | ES Sétif | 2–1 | USM Alger | Sétif |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: 8 May 1945 Stadium Attendance: 0 (close doors) Referee: Akram Mechairia Assistant referees: Mohamed Benamira, Antar Boulfelfel Fourth official: Ahmed Daas |
| 18 November 2023 Round 6 | US Biskra | 1–0 | USM Alger | Biskra |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: 18 February Stadium Referee: Billel Bendjahene Assistant referees: Zakaria Miraoui, Youcef Sohbi Fourth official: Oussama Kebab |
| 15 December 2023 Round 10 | MC El Bayadh | 1–1 | USM Alger | El Bayadh |
| 15:15 | Report | Stadium: Zakaria Medjdoub Stadium Referee: Lahlou Benbraham Assistant referees: Hamza Bouzit, Amirouche Boufassa Fourth official: Oussama Serir |
| 29 December 2023 Round 11 | USM Alger | 0–0 | MC Alger | Algiers |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal Assistant referees: Akram Zerhouni, Mokrane Gourari Fourth official: Mohamed Lamine Chaoubi | ||
| Note: The match was originally to be played on 25 December 2023, but it was postponed due to the fatal traffic accident by MC El Bayadh.[90] | ||||
| 5 January 2024 Round 12 | ASO Chlef | 0–1 | USM Alger | Chlef |
| 15:45 |
| Report | Stadium: Mohamed Boumezrag Stadium Referee: Nabil Boukhalfa Assistant referees: Yacine Ouerd Benslama, Asma Feriel Ouahab Fourth official: Tayeb Benyabka |
| 11 January 2024 Round 13 | USM Alger | 2–1 | JS Saoura | Algiers |
| 19:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Billel Soltani Assistant referees: Soufiane Cherif Zaatri, Youcef Mchid Hedjala Fourth official: Fodil Oukil |
| 15 January 2024 Round 7 | USM Alger | 2–0 | MC Oran | Algiers |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Abdelmoumen Touabti Assistant referees: Hamza Bouzit, Badreddine Bellaghma Fourth official: Massinissa Serdjane |
| 19 January 2024 Round 14 | US Souf | 1–3 | USM Alger | El Oued |
| 15:30 | Report | Stadium: 1 November 1954 Stadium Attendance: 0 (close doors) Referee: Ayoub Belhachemi Assistant referees: Abdelkader Siafa, Mohamed Ilyas Zoubiri Fourth official: Hamoudi Nebili |
| 23 January 2024 Round 8 | ES Ben Aknoun | 1–2 | USM Alger | Belouizdad |
| 15:30 | Report | Stadium: 20 August 1955 Stadium Referee: Hamza Bouslimani Assistant referees: Habib Belbachir, Kadhafi Badache Fourth official: Lamia Athmane |
| 28 January 2024 Round 15 | USM Alger | 3–1 | NC Magra | Algiers |
| 18:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Mehadji Tayeb Bouderbal Assistant referees: Yassine Tadji, Idriss Kedroussi Fourth official: Lamia Athmane |
| 31 January 2024 Round 9 | USM Alger | 1–2 | CS Constantine | Algiers |
| 19:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Youcef Taieb Bouderbal Assistant referees: Mohamed Serradj, Mustapha Kessar Fourth official: Mohamed Lamine Chaoubi |
| 11 February 2024 Round 16 | USM Alger | 1–5 | Paradou AC | Algiers |
| 18:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Anes Azrine Assistant referees: Abdelkader Slimani, Mahmoud Hadji Fourth official: Ayoub Belhachemi |
| 16 February 2024 Round 17 | USM Khenchela | 1–0 | USM Alger | Khenchela |
| 15:30 | Report |
| Stadium: Amar Hamam Stadium Referee: Abderahmane Sahraoui Assistant referees: Islem Boukhatem, Imadeddine Benbouriche Fourth official: Abdelmoumen Ragdi |
| 15 March 2024 Round 20 | CR Belouizdad | 0–1 | USM Alger | Algiers |
| 22:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Youcef Gamouh Assistant referees: Antar Boulfelfel, Haytem Bouima Fourth official: Hamza Bouslimani |
| 19 March 2024 Round 18 | USM Alger | 2–0 | ES Sétif | Algiers |
| 22:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Nabil Boukhalfa Assistant referees: Amine Belaroussi, Akram Sohbi Fourth official: Mohamed Belkebir |
| 24 March 2024 Round 21 | USM Alger | 1–0 | US Biskra | Algiers |
| 22:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal Assistant referees: Akram Zerhouni, Asma Feriel Ouahab Fourth official: Malek Aït Ameur |
| 6 May 2024 Round 19 | USM Alger | 2–2 | JS Kabylie | Baraki |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Stadium Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal Assistant referees: Akram Zerhouni, Asma Feriel Ouahab Fourth official: Radouane Alou |
| 10 May 2024 Round 25 | USM Alger | 2–1 | MC El Bayadh | Algiers |
| 17:00 | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Ayoub Belhachemi Assistant referees: Abdelkader Siafa, Mohamed Zoubiri Fourth official: Delloul Benhadj |
| 17 May 2024 Round 26 | MC Alger | 1–0 | USM Alger | Algiers |
| 18:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Nabil Boukhalfa Assistant referees: Yacine Ouard Benslama, Amine Belaroussi Fourth official: Tahar Boudjemaa |
| 21 May 2024 Round 22 | MC Oran | 1–0 | USM Alger | Oran |
| 19:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Ahmed Zabana Stadium Referee: Said Aouina Assistant referees: Faouzi Aouina, Youcef Arioua Fourth official: Yahia Dahar |
| 25 May 2024 Round 27 | USM Alger | – | ASO Chlef | Algiers |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Youcef Taieb Bouderbal Assistant referees: Akram Sohbi, Mustapha Kessar Fourth official: Massinissa Serdjane |
| 30 May 2024 Round 23 | USM Alger | – | ES Ben Aknoun | Algiers |
| : | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet |
| 3 June 2024 Round 24 | CS Constantine | – | USM Alger | Constantine |
| : | Report | Stadium: Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium |
| 7 June 2024 Round 28 | JS Saoura | – | USM Alger | Béchar |
| : | Report | Stadium: 20 August 1955 Stadium |
| 11 June 2024 Round 29 | USM Alger | – | US Souf | Algiers |
| : | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet |
| 15 June 2024 Round 30 | NC Magra | – | USM Alger | Magra |
| : | Report | Stadium: Boucheligue Brothers Stadium |
Algerian Cup[edit]
| 4 February 2024 Round of 64 | US Boukhadra | 2–5 | USM Alger | Annaba |
| 13:45 | Report | Stadium: Abdelkader Chabou Stadium Referee: Haithem Ghouti Assistant referees: Rachid Tamrabet, Sami Djaouad Fourth official: Fettouh Koriche | ||
Note: USM Alger Lineups: Benbot, Alilet, Bounacer, Barkat, Lamara  33' (Dehiri,  33'), Bouchina 73' (Konaté, 73'), Naamani, Djahnit, Bousseliou 66' (Mbarek, 66'), Bacha 46' (Bellatreche, 46'), Kanou 66' (Bouzida, 66') | ||||
| 8 March 2024 Round of 32 | USM Alger | 8–0 | MB Rouissat | Algiers |
| 18:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Ahmed Benhamou Assistant referees: Mourad Benhamou, Oussama Arafa Fourth official: Amine Hamadache | |
| Note: USM Alger Lineups: Benbot, Belaïd, Alilet, Radouani, Lamara 56' (Barkat, 56'), Chita 46' (Naamani, 46'), Djahnit, Boukhanchouche 56' (Bouchina, 56'), Bousseliou, Bellatreche 63' (Ateba, 63'), Kanou 69' (Bacha, 69') | ||||
| 12 April 2024 Round of 16 | USM Alger | 7–0 | RC Bougaa | Algiers |
| 17:30 |
| Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Fodil Oukil Assistant referees: Moussa Saidani, Ali Mustapha Fourth official: Anis Moudjeb | |
| Note: USM Alger Lineups: Soufi, Belaïd, Dehiri, Radouani 70' (Bacha, 70'), Lamara, Namani, Djahnit 57' (Kanou, 57'), Merili, Bouzida 65' (Belkacemi, 65'), Bellatreche 65' (Benzaza, 65'), Ateba 57' (Boukhanchouche, 57'). | ||||
| 16 April 2024 Quarter-finals | US Biskra | 1–3 | USM Alger | Annaba |
| 20:30 | Report |
| Stadium: 19 May 1956 Stadium Referee: Lahlou Benbraham Assistant referees: Hamza Bouzit, Amirouche Boufassa Fourth official: Abdelmoumen Touabti | |
| Note: USM Alger Lineups: Soufi, Belaïd, Bounacer, Radouani, Lamara 87' (Dehiri, 87'), Boukhanchouche, Naamani 68' (Djahnit, 68'), Benzaza 84' (Bouchina, 84'), Bouzida 46' (Kanou, 46'), Bacha 68' (Belkacemi, 68'), Ateba. | ||||
| 24 April 2024 Semi-finals | CR Belouizdad | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–1 p) | USM Alger | Baraki |
| 21:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Nelson Mandela Stadium Referee: Lotfi Bekouassa Assistant referees: Akram Zarhouni, Adel Abane Fourth official: Youcef Gamouh | |
| Penalties | ||||
Laouafi  Benguit  Belkhir Wamba | Belaïd Radouani Djahnit Alilet | |||
| Note: USM Alger Lineups: Soufi, Belaïd, Bounacer 82' (Alilet, 82'), Radouani, Lamara 111' (Dehiri, 111'), Boukhanchouche, Benzaza 82' (Bellatreche, 82'), Djahnit, Bacha 65' (Merili, 65'), Ateba 111' (Bouchina, 111'), Kanou 56' (Belkacemi, 56'). | ||||
CAF Super Cup[edit]
The CAF Super Cup is played as a single match at a neutral venue, with the CAF Champions League winners designated as the "home" team for administrative purposes. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, extra time will not be played, and the penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the winner (CAF Champions League Regulations XXVII and CAF Confederation Cup Regulations XXV).[91][92]
| 15 September 2023 Final | Al Ahly  | 0–1 | USM Alger | Taif, Saudi Arabia |
| 21:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: King Fahd Stadium Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)[93] Assistant referees: Boris Ditsougo (Gabon), Karin Fomo (Cameroon)[93] Fourth official: Issa Sy (Senegal)[93] |
Confederation Cup[edit]
Qualifying rounds[edit]
The draw for the qualifying rounds was held on 25 July 2023, 11:00 GMT (14:00 local time, UTC+3), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[94] In the qualifying rounds, each tie will be played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score will be tied after the second leg, the away goals rule was applied, and if still tied, extra time will not be played, and the penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the winner (Regulations III. 13 & 14).
Second round[edit]
| 23 September 2023[a] First leg | FUS Rabat | 1–1 | USM Alger | Rabat |
| 20:30 UTC+1 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium Referee: Muhammad Elmabrouk (Libya) Assistant referees: Mohamed Issa Attia, Wahed Al Jahawe (Libya) Fourth official: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya) |
| 1 October 2023 Second leg | USM Alger | 0–0 (1–1 agg.) | FUS Rabat | Oran |
| 20:00 UTC+1 |
| Report | Stadium: Miloud Hadefi Stadium Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia) Assistant referees: Yamen Melloulchi, Youssef Jami (Tunisia) Fourth official: Amir Lousif (Tunisia) |
Group stage[edit]
The draw for the group stage was held on 6 October 2023, 12:00 GMT (14:00 local time, UTC+2), in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 16 winners of the second round of qualifying rounds were drawn into four groups of four.[95]
The teams were seeded by their performances in the CAF competitions for the previous five seasons (CAF 5-year ranking points shown next to every team). Each group contained one team from each of Pot 1 and Pot 2, and two teams from Pot 3, and each team was allocated to the positions in their group according to their pot.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | USMA | MOF | HIL | SSU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USM Alger | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 13 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | |
| 2 | Modern Future | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 11 | 0–0 | — | 5–0 | 1–0 | ||
| 3 | Al Hilal Benghazi | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 6 | 2–1 | 1–2 | — | 2–1 | ||
| 4 |  SuperSport United | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | — |
| 26 November 2023 1 | USM Alger | 2–0 | Al Hilal Benghazi | Algiers |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Referee: Kalilou Traoré (Ivory Coast) Assistant referees: Desiré N'goh (Ivory Coast), Nouho Ouattara (Congo DR) Fourth official: Tuoniféré Soro (Ivory Coast) |
| 3 December 2023 2 | SuperSport United | 0–2 | USM Alger | Polokwane |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium Referee: Georges Gatogato (Burundi) Assistant referees: Emery Niyongabo, Herve Nduwayo (Burundi) Fourth official: Rodrigue Bigirimana (Burundi) |