The Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers was the venue for the most intense derby match in Algeria’s capital city on Friday evening as CAF Confederation Cup champions USM Alger defeated rivals MC Alger by a 2-0 score. Ismail Belkacemi struck for USMA in the 40th minute to put his team ahead and Haithem Loucif doubled the lead not long after the hour mark. USMA leap past their rivals and ES Sétif into third place following the result.
Both teams had plenty of rest and time to prepare for the important match but there were few opportunities before the opening goal towards the end of the first half. A clever set piece unlocked the MCA defense when Abderrahmane Meziane lifted his free kick into the penalty area to find the run of Belkacemi who volleyed past goalkeeper Oussama Litim at his near post.
MCA head coach Patrice Beaumelle made three changes at halftime but it did little to help The Dean break down the USMA defense. In the 63rd minute Les Usmistes doubled their lead courtesy of Loucif, who ran to meet a cross from Tumisang Orebonye with a powerful header past Litim. The USMA defense did the rest to hold off an impotent MCA attack and earn maximum points.
Video of both goals from the match are below.
