Following a turbulent spell in French football, Algeria national team attacker Youcef Belaïli returned to Algerian club football by signing with MC Alger and made an instant impact in MCA’s first match of the 2023-24 Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle. Belaïli found the net along with three of his teammates in a 4-0 thrashing of newly promoted ES Ben Aknoun on Saturday. With Belaïli signing along with former USM Khenchela star Soufiane Bayazid, who also scored, MCA look poised to mount a challenge to Algerian giants CR Belouizdad this season.
The news was not so good for the club where Belaïli made his name in Algerian football. MC Oran fell to a 2-0 defeat at reigning cup champions ASO Chlef. ASO, who fell to a penalty kick defeat against Nigerian club Bendel Insurance in the CAF Confederation Cup, scored both goals in the second half.
Also among the winners from the opening weekend of league action were JS Saoura, JS Kabylie, USM Khenchela and MC El Bayadh who defeated last season’s runners-up CS Constantine. Watch all the goals from the weekend below following the list of scores.
Scores
El Bayadh 1-0 CS Constantine
USM Khenchela 1-0 ES Sétif
ASO Chlef 2-0 MC Oran
NC Magra 0-1 JS Kabylie
MC Alger 4-0 ES Ben Aknoun
JS Saoura 1-0 US Biskra
Highlights
MC Alger 4-0 ES Ben Aknoun
ASO Chlef 2-0 MC Oran
NC Magra 0-1 JS Kabylie
El Bayadh 1-0 CS Constantine
USM Khenchela 1-0 ES Sétif
JS Saoura 1-0 US Biskra
