Algeria’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle wrapped up its opening weekend on Saturday with Paradou AC and JS Saoura emerging as the big winners. Paradou found a winner in second half stoppage time from substitute Houcine Aoued to defeat NC Magra 2-1 on the road while Benamar Mellal scored a brace to lift Saoura to a 2-0 shutout of MC Alger. The JSS-MCA matchup drew attention for clashes between supporters of both clubs outside the Stade du 20 Août 1955 in the buildup to the match.
ES Sétif had an excellent 2021-22 CAF Champions League campaign that saw Les Aigles Noirs reach the semifinals before bowing out to Al Ahly but struggled financially and could only finish 7th in league play, resulting in the club selling off key players to rebuild. One star remaining, midfielder Ahmed Kendouci, came through in a major way to help his side salvage a point on the road against US Biskra by scoring in the first minute before leveling the match in the final ten minutes. The 23-year-old appears destined for an imminent move away from the club but provided a point for ESS and their supporters.
Check out below the scores from Saturday and highlights from Sétif’s draw as well as Messala Merbah’s winning goal in a 1-0 win for USM Alger over newly promoted MC El Bayadh.
Scores
NC Magra 1-2 Paradou AC
USM Alger 1-0 MC El Bayadh
JS Saoura 2-0 MC Alger
US Biskra 2-2 ES Sétif
Highlights
US Biskra 2-2 ES Sétif
USM Alger 1-0 MC El Bayadh
