After scoring fourteen goals in all competitions for Algerian champions CR Belouizdad last season, forward Khaireddine Merzougui made the decision to move to fellow Algiers side MC Alger so that he could be the focus of the attack and the move has brought early rewards for the 30-year-old. Merzougui provided two excellent finishes in the opening twenty minutes for MCA in an excellent 2-0 Ligue 1 Professionnelle road victory at CS Constantine on Saturday, giving him three goals for the season so far. The 7-time Ligue 1 champions are enjoying a revival under new manager Faouzi Benzarti with Merzougui leading the way to make MCA a team to watch this season.
MCA move level on eleven points with RC Arbaâ in fourth place, who played NC Magra to a 0-0 draw on Friday. One point below is newly promoted MC El Bayadh following a 1-0 home victory over HB Chelghoum Laïd where Abou Balegh struck the winning goal from the penalty spot. The other top division newcomers, USM Khenchela, were also victorious with a 1-0 shutout of MC Oran thanks to a brilliant free kick from former Asante Kotoko forward Maxwell Baakoh.
Highlights from all four matches are below following the scores.
Scores
NC Magra 0-0 RC Arbaâ
MC El Bayadh 1-0 HB Chelghoum Laïd
USM Khenchela 1-0 MC Oran
CS Constantine 0-2 MC Alger
Highlights
CS Constantine 0-2 MC Alger
USM Khenchela 1-0 MC Oran
MC El Bayadh 1-0 HB Chelghoum Laïd
NC Magra 0-0 RC Arbaâ
