2024–25 MC Alger season explained

Club:MC Alger
Season:2024–25
Owner:Sonatrach
Manager:Patrice Beaumelle
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Chairman:Mohamed Hakim Hadj Redjem
Chrtitle:President
Stadium:Ali La Pointe Stadium
League:Ligue 1
League Result:Pre-season
Cup1:Algerian Cup
Cup1 Result:Round of 64
Cup2:Super Cup
Cup2 Result:Final
Cup3:Champions League
Cup3 Result:Second round
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Prevseason:2023–24

The 2024–25 season, is MC Alger's 56th season and the club's 21st consecutive season in the top flight of Algerian football. In addition to the domestic league, MC Alger are participating in the Algerian Cup, Super Cup and the Champions League. On June 27, 2024 The federal office approved the calendar for the 2024–25 Ligue 1 season with the aim of ending on May 31, 2025. The first round is scheduled for September 14, this delay is motivated both by an extended end of the 2023–24 season but also by the holding of early presidential elections which will take place on September 7, 2024.[1] [2] However, the Ligue de Football Professionnel decided to postpone the start of the Ligue 1 by a week, on September 21.[3]

Review

Background

On June 17, 2024, RMC Sport announced Paris Saint-Germain’s denial regarding the partnership that was to be announced as having been signed with MC Alger. The latter announced a meeting between Fabien Delem, the senior executive director of Paris SG and the one responsible for commercial strategy in the Middle East and North Africa region. This meeting was organized by the Qatari telephone company Ooredoo, the official sponsor of the two teams.[4] On June 27, during the federal office meeting it was announced that the Super Cup, which had been absent since 2020.[5] On July 3, 2024, Ali La Pointe Stadium in Douera was officially inaugurated by the President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The stadium should host MC Alger matches from the start of the 2024–25 season.[6]

On July 7, MC Alger announced via its official Facebook page, the renewal of Patrice Beaumelle’s contract until 2025. The new contract provides for a salary increase and new objectives on the national and African level, namely the Ligue 1 champion title and at least the group stage of the CAF Champions League.[7] [8] On July 15, Patrice Beaumelle responded positively to the request of players who want to benefit from a few extra days of rest before the start of the season, which promises to be long and exhausting with participation in four different competitions. Where did the technical staff decide to return to training on July 24.[9] On July 24, the owner of MC Alger Sonatrach has refused the resignation of the president of the CA Mohamed Hakim Hadj Redjem. In a press release published on the club's official Facebook page. Hachichi asked him to continue the Mouloudia sports project. The CEO of Sonatrach praised the efforts of the president who led the team to win the championship title last season.[10]

Following urgent requests from certain clubs, the Algerian Football Federation has decided to increase the number of foreign players in the Ligue 1.[11] After having formally passed through the technical college chaired by Rabah Saâdane, the FAF ratified the increase in the number of foreigners per club from 3 to 5. However, that there is a provision intended to serve as a safeguard for the license of a foreign player or coach to be validated, the club must pay the federation a deposit equivalent to 12 months salary. This is to protect against any financial dispute. MC Alger flew to France on July 27 to begin its training camp without its Algerian international Youcef Belaïli. The Oran native decided to skip training and not take part in the training camp that take place in Rennes, following the decision of the club's management not to extend the contract of Farès Belaïli, his brother.[12] Sonatrach, the company that owns the shares of the MC Alger, has announced the signing of an agreement with the Amateur Sports Club (CSA). According to a press release published on the official Sonatrach Facebook page, a meeting was held at the company's headquarters bringing together the group's secretary general Abdelkader Zerrouki, the chairman of the board of directors Mohamed Hakim Hadj-Redjem and the chairman of the Amateur Sports Club Mohamed Khaldi. With the signing of this agreement, MC Alger will be able to recover the licenses and the qualification of the players in anticipation of the new season.[13]

First-team transfers (summer transfer window)

On July 8, 2024, Zakaria Draoui has officially signed up with Mouloudia as the first summer recruit. Where he signed a contract for three seasons for an extraordinary monthly salary of 8 million DA, coming from Wydad AC, which terminated his contract with him.[14] [15] On the same day, the 1.98' international Toufik Moussaoui, who spent a large part of his career at Paradou AC, signed a contract for three seasons and will be the first choice goalkeeper in front of Abdelatif Ramdane while Oussama Litim does not have the confidence of the coaching staff.[16] The next day, Ivorian striker Kipre Junior arrived in Algeria to sign his contract for four seasons, coming from the Tanzanian club Azam, and his discharge paper amounted to 230 thousand euros.[17] [18] On July 21, after a long wait that lasted nearly a month, Khayreddine Merzougui was about to join the elite team. Merzougui met with Hadj Redjem to discuss continuing their joint adventure. As a result of these races, Merzougui will remain at MC Alger for an additional season, but this became possible after agreeing to make concessions on the financial level.[19]

On July 27, Mouloudia d'Alger signed a contract with Ivorian defender Serge Badjo for three seasons coming from FC d'Abobo, Badjo is therefore the fourth Mouloudean recruit since the start of the transfer window.[20] On July 28, MC Alger announced in an official press release that it had accepted the offer submitted by Espérance de Tunis for Youcef Belaïli. The leaders of Mouloudia decided to take this decision after the recent problems caused by Belaïli's entourage. After only one season with Mouloudia d'Alger, Belaïli decided to leave the Algerian Ligue 1 and return to Espérance.[21] Algerian international Andy Delort moved to Algeria on September 8 with the aim of completing his transfer to Mouloudia d'Alger. The board of directors of Mouloudia d'Alger met with Delort and his advisor, but Delort had a €2 million release clause from Umm Salal SC, and was therefore not free to sign wherever he wanted. After studying the matter, the session was adjourned without reaching a solution.[22] On September 10, Delort signed a three-year contract with Mouloudia and Umm Salal SC will eventually receive 1.5 million euros distributed over three years at a rate of 500 thousand euros per year.[23] [24]

Start of season

The season started in the first round of the African Cup against Liberia's Watanga, and after an agreement between the two clubs, it was decided to play both matches in Algeria.[25] In the first leg at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, MC Alger won with two goals scored by Draoui and Kipre.[26] The second leg was moved to the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium and will be played behind closed doors. Because the pitch at Mandela Stadium was very poor, CAF decided to move this match to Blida.[27] Mouloudia won again with the same result to qualify for the next round easily.[28] Mouloudia d’Alger lost the first leg of the second qualifying round for the group stage of the Champions League, against US Monastir in Tunis. The only goal of the match was scored by Ghezala against his own goal.[29] MC Alger in its new Ali La Pointe Stadium managed to win in a difficult situation with a score of 2–0 in order to qualify for the group stage.[30]

Before the match started, there were problems between the fans and the Gendarmerie Nationale, who were in charge of managing the match instead of the Police, as is the usual. The first problem was opening one door for entry instead of the 13 that were in place. During the match, in the last quarter, violence broke out in the stands between the Gendarmerie Nationale and the fans, which saw some chairs being broken and tear gas ending up on the pitch.[31] [32] The new Ali La Pointe Stadium has reportedly been closed until further notice. This decision follows incidents that occurred during the match between MC Alger and US Monastir, to the point that a tear gas bomb was thrown onto the pitch, causing general chaos. The temporary closure of the stadium is intended to allow a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the disturbances and to put in place the necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.[33]

On November 24, the Confederation of African Football announced a major penalty following the events that took place against US Monastir. CAF has decided to impose four matches behind closed doors, two of which are suspended. This suspension is accompanied by a fine of $50,000. The two remaining matches will be automatically activated if other similar incidents occur in the next 12 months.[34] Following the serious incidents that marred the derby match against CR Belouizdad on November 20, 2024, the Disciplinary Committee punished the two teams. After postponing its decision until the end of its meeting on November 25, and after studying other documents, in particular videos, the committee punished the team by ordering it to play four matches behind closed doors, two of which were suspended. It will also have to pay 200,000 DZD, not counting the financial compensation that the stadium manager will request.[35]

Squad list

Players and squad numbers last updated on 5 July 2024.[36] [37]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Nat.NamePositionDate of Birth (Age)Signed fromSigned
in
Contract
ends
Transfer feesAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1Abdelatif RamdaneGKSeptember 12, 2024 JS Kabylie20222025160
16Toufik MoussaouiGKSeptember 12, 2024 Paradou AC20242027Free transfer00
30Seifeddine BelkhirGKSeptember 15, 2024 Youth system2028Academy Player10
Defenders
4Serge BadjoCBSeptember 14, 2024 FC d'Abobo20242027Undisclosed00
5Ayoub Abdellaoui (C.)CBSeptember 12, 2024 Ettifaq FC20222026Free transfer594
14Hamza MoualiLBSeptember 12, 2024 Stade Lavallois20232026380
17Kamel HamidiRBSeptember 12, 2024 MC Oran20212025821
19Ayoub GhezalaCBSeptember 12, 2024 USM Annaba20212026802
20Réda HalaïmiaRBSeptember 12, 2024 Beerschot20222026Free transfer601
27Abdelkader MenezlaCBSeptember 12, 2024 USM Bel Abbès20222026190
NAMarwane KhelifLBSeptember 14, 2024 JS Saoura20242028Undisclosed00
Midfielders
6Mohamed BenkhemassaDMSeptember 14, 2024 Ismaily SC20232027Free transfer371
8Zakaria DraouiDMSeptember 15, 2023 Wydad AC20242027Free transfer00
12Mohamed ZougranaDMSeptember 15, 2023 ASEC Mimosas20232028300,000 344
21Larbi TabtiAMJanuary 5, 2024Free agent20242026Free transfer160
NAAkram BourasCMSeptember 14, 2024 CR Belouizdad20242027Free transfer00
28Oussama BenhaouaCMSeptember 14, 2024 Reserve team2024Academy Player00
Forwards
7Sofiane BayazidSTSeptember 12, 2024 USM Khenchela2023202650,000,000 DA3410
9Romaric OuattaraSTSeptember 12, 2024 Stade d'Abidjan20242028Undisclosed82
24Zakaria NaidjiSTSeptember 12, 2024 Stade Lavallois20232026200,000 3412
11Youssouf DaoSTSeptember 12, 2024 Sparta Prague B20232025151
22Kipre JuniorRWSeptember 12, 2024 Azam20242028230,000 00
NATayeb MezianiRWSeptember 12, 2024 Club Africain20242027Free transfer00
18Khayreddine MerzouguiFWSeptember 14, 2024 CR Belouizdad20222025Free transfer4815
NAAmine MessoussaFWSeptember 14, 2024 Lille20242027Undisclosed00
NAAndy DelortSTSeptember 14, 2024 Umm Salal SC202420271,500,000 00

Transfers

In

Summer

DatePlayerMoving fromFeeSource
8 July 2024 MF Free transfer
8 July 2024 GK Free transfer
9 July 2024 FW
27 July 2024 DF Undisclosed
4 August 2024 LB [38] [39]
15 August 2024 RW Free transfer [40]
22 August 2024 FW Undisclosed [41]
24 August 2024 FW Free transfer [42]
10 September 2024 ST

Out

Summer

DatePlayerMoving toFeeSource
9 July 2024 MF Khalid Dahmani Free transfer (Released) [43]
11 July 2024 GK Free transfer (Released) [44]
12 July 2024 DF Free transfer (Released) [45]
28 July 2024 FW [46]
27 August 2024 AM Loan for one season [47]
10 September 2024 DM Badreddine Touki Free transfer (Released) [48] [49]

New contracts

Competitions

Overview

CompetitionRecordStarted roundFinal position / roundFirst match Last match
Ligue 1To be confirmed27 September 2024In Progress
Algerian CupTo be confirmedTo be confirmedIn ProgressIn Progress
Super CupFinalTo be confirmed17-18 January 2025
CAF Champions LeagueFirst roundTo be confirmed18 August 2024In Progress
Total

Ligue 1

See main article: 2024–25 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.

Matches

The league fixtures were announced on 11 July 2024.[50]

All times are local, WAT (UTC+1).

Champions League

See main article: 2024–25 CAF Champions League.

Qualifying rounds

See main article: 2024–25 CAF Champions League qualifying rounds. 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). The draw for the qualifying rounds was held on 11 July 2024, 12:00 GMT (15:00 local time, UTC+3), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[51]

Second round

Group stage

See main article: 2024–25 CAF Champions League group stage. The draw for the group stage was held on 7 October 2024, 11:00 GMT (14:00 local time, UTC+3), in Cairo, Egypt.[52] The 16 winners of the second round of qualifying rounds were drawn into four groups of four. 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 contains one team from each of Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3, and Pot 4, and each team were allocated to the positions in their group according to their pot.

Squad information

Appearances and goals

No.PlayerLigue 1Algerian CupSuper CupChampions LeagueTotal
Goalkeepers
1GKAbdelatif Ramdane000000000220000
GKToufik Moussaoui000000000220000
30GKSeifeddine Belkhir000000000000000
Defenders
5CBAyoub Abdellaoui000000000440000
19CBAyoub Ghezala000000000440000
20RBRéda Halaïmia000000000440000
27CBAbdelkader Menezla000000000300000
17RBKamel Hamidi000000000100000
14LBHamza Mouali000000000440000
4CBSerge Badjo000000000000000
LBMarwane Khelif000000000000000
Midfielders
6MFMohamed Benkhemassa000000000440000
12MFMohamed Zougrana000000000440000
21MFLarbi Tabti000000000100000
28MFOussama Benhaoua000000000301000
26MFAkram Bouras000000000200000
8MFZakaria Draoui000000000331000
Forwards
7FWSofiane Bayazid000000000431000
FWRomaric Ouattara000000000000000
18FWKhayreddine Merzougui000000000100000
24FWZakaria Naidji000000000441000
11FWYoussouf Dao000000000000000
22FWKipre Junior000000000441000
FWTayeb Meziani000000000210000
FWAmine Messoussa000000000210000
FWAndy Delort000000000000000
Total0000004646

Goalscorers

Includes all competitive matches.

No.Nat.PlayerPos.TOTAL
24FW 2 0 0 1 3
FW 1 0 0 0 1
21MF 1 0 0 0 1
20DF 1 0 0 0 1
8 MF 0 0 0 1 1
22 FW 0 0 0 1 1
7 FW 0 0 0 1 1
28Oussama Benhaoua MF 0 0 0 1 1
Own Goals 0 0 0 1 0
Totals5 0 0 6 11

Clean sheets

References

Notes and References

  1. News: Ligue 1 Mobilis : Coup d'envoi de la saison 2024-2025 le 12 septembre prochain. fr. Horizons. M. F.. 13 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Ligue 1 : Le calendrier 2024/2025 présenté . DZfoot . 28 June 2024 . 29 June 2024.
  3. Web site: Ligue 1 : Le début de championnat encore décalé... . DZfoot . 12 August 2024 . 14 August 2024.
  4. Web site: Ligue 1 : MCA-PSG, une rencontre ou un partenariat ? . DZfoot . 18 June 2024 . 19 June 2024.
  5. Web site: FAF : La Super Coupe d'Algérie est de retour . DZfoot . 29 June 2024 . 29 June 2024.
  6. Web site: Ligue 1 : Le stade Ali Ammar inauguré par Abdelmadjid Teboune . DZfoot . July 3, 2024 . July 5, 2024.
  7. Web site: MCA: Beaumelle renouvelle son contrat (Officiel) . Competition . 7 July 2024 . 7 July 2024.
  8. Web site: MCA : Beaumelle prolonge son contrat . DZfoot . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024.
  9. Web site: MC Alger : Reprise des entraînements le 24 juillet . . 15 July 2024 . 16 July 2024.
  10. Web site: MCA: Sonatrach refuse la démission de Hadj Redjem . Competition . 24 July 2024 . 24 July 2024.
  11. Web site: Ligue 1 : Augmentation du nombre d'étranger par club . DZfoot . 25 July 2024 . 27 July 2024.
  12. Web site: MCA : Le club part en France... sans Youcef Belaïli . DZfoot . 27 July 2024 . 28 July 2024.
  13. Web site: ALG : Signature d'une convention entre le SSPA et le CSA – MC Alger . Foot Afrique . 5 September 2024 . 10 September 2024.
  14. Web site: Info LGDF MCA : Zakaria Draoui signe un contrat record… et dépasse Belaili ! . La Gazette du Fennec . 8 July 2024 . 9 July 2024.
  15. Web site: Mercato – Wydad Casablanca : Zakaria Draoui s'engage officiellement avec le Mouloudia . Africa Foot United . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024.
  16. Web site: MCA : Moussaoui et Draoui premières recrues . DZfoot . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024.
  17. Web site: MC Alger – Mercato – Azam FC : Kipré Zunon à Alger pour signer . Africa Foot United . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024.
  18. Web site: MCA: Kipré Jr au Mouloudia; c'est fait . Competition . 9 July 2024 . 9 July 2024.
  19. Web site: Merzougui prolonge en baissant son salaire . Planete Sport . 21 July 2024 . 22 July 2024.
  20. Web site: MCA : Serge Anthony Badjo, quatrième recrue . DZfoot . 27 July 2024 . 28 July 2024.
  21. Web site: Mercato : Belaïli quitte le MCA et s'engage avec l'Espérance . DZfoot . 28 July 2024 . 28 July 2024.
  22. Web site: MC Alger : une clause qui vaut « Delort » . La Gazette du Fennec . 9 September 2024 . 10 September 2024.
  23. Web site: MCA : Andy Delort nouveau buteur ! . .DZfoot . September 10, 2024 . September 11, 2024.
  24. Web site: Info LGDF : énorme scandale autour de la signature de Delort au MCA . lagazettedufennec . September 11, 2024 . September 11, 2024.
  25. Web site: C1 CAF – MC Alger vs Watanga FC aller retour en Algérie ? le verdict est tombé (Officiel) . Fennec Football . 4 August 2024 . 5 August 2024.
  26. Web site: CAF CL : Le MC Alger assure aussi . DZfoot . 18 August 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  27. Web site: CAF CL : MCA - Watanga délocalisé et à huis clos ! . DZfoot . 21 August 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  28. Web site: CAF CL : Le MC Alger assure facilement sa qualification . DZfoot . 22 August 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  29. Web site: CAF CL : Le MC Alger battu par l'US Monastir . DZfoot . 13 September 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  30. Web site: CAF CL : Le Mouloudia rejoint le CRB en poule . DZfoot . 21 September 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  31. Web site: MCA : Stade Ali la Pointe, une première chaotique . DZfoot . 22 September 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  32. Web site: MC Alger : Ali La Pointe a dû se retourner dans sa tombe ! . La Gazette du Fennec . 22 September 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  33. Web site: MCA : terrible nouvelle, le stade de Douera serait fermé jusqu'à nouvel ordre ! . Fennec Football . 23 September 2024 . 24 September 2024.
  34. Web site: CAF CL : Le MCA lourdement sanctionné par la CAF ! . DZfoot . 24 November 2024 . 24 November 2024.
  35. Web site: Ligue 1 : MCA - CRB, des sanctions pas si dissuasives . DZfoot . 29 November 2024 . 1 December 2024.
  36. Web site: FICHE DU CLUB: MC ALGER.
  37. Web site: Joueurs du MC Alger.
  38. Web site: Merwane Khelif au MCA; c'est fait . Competition . August 4, 2024 . August 5, 2024.
  39. Web site: MCA : Le latéral gauche Khelif a signé . DZfoot . August 5, 2024 . August 5, 2024.
  40. Web site: MCA : Tayeb Meziani en nouveau renfort offensif pour le Doyen . La Gazette du Fennec . August 15, 2024 . August 16, 2024.
  41. Web site: MCA : Un joueur de Lille de 19 ans signe ! . DZfoot . August 22, 2024 . August 23, 2024.
  42. Web site: MCA : Bouras 8ème recrue du Mouloudia . Competition . August 25, 2024 . August 25, 2024.
  43. Web site: ESS : Dahamni, futur 10 de l'Entente . Competition . 9 July 2024 . 11 July 2024.
  44. Web site: Algérie – MC Alger : Oussama Litim et le MC Alger se séparent . Africa Foot United . 11 July 2024 . 12 July 2024.
  45. Web site: MCA : Comme annoncé, Benlamri libéré . DZfoot . 12 July 2024 . 12 July 2024.
  46. Web site: MCA : Belaïli cédé à l'EST . Competition . 29 July 2024 . 29 July 2024.
  47. Web site: L'Algérien Abdelmalek Kelaleche rejoint le Club Africain . Mosaique FM . 27 August 2024 . 2 September 2024.
  48. Web site: Touki a résilié son bail contre une indemnité . Planete Sport . 10 September 2024 . 11 September 2024.
  49. Web site: USM Khenchela: Touki engagé . Just Info dz . 11 September 2024 . 13 September 2024.
  50. Web site: Ligue 1 Mobilis: Le calendrier complet de la saison 2024-2025 . Competition . 11 July 2024 . 11 July 2024.
  51. Web site: CAF to conduct Preliminary Draw of 2024/25 CAF Interclub season on Thursday . Confederation of African Football . 10 July 2024 . en.
  52. Web site: CAF announces TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Draw Date . Confederation of African Football . 22 September 2023 . en.