MC Alger midfielder Mohamed Zougrana has been crowned the Best Foreign Player in Algeria's Ligue 1 Professionnelle for 2024 by Algerian newspaper DZMatch.
This accolade is a testament to Zougrana, who joined MC Alger in the summer of 2023 from Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas after leading Mimos to the semifinals of the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup. DZMatch awarded Zougrana with the Ebossé prize, named for Cameroonian striker Albert Ebossé who passed away while playing for JS Kabylie in 2014.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has featured in 48 matches since joining MC Alger, scoring four goals and providing four assists. He was linked to joining Egyptian giants Al Ahly prior to his move to Algeria but MCA considered Zougrana too valuable and refused all inquiries. Zougrana continues to earn praise for his ability to connect the midfield to the attack with efficient passing and a high work rate.
In the current season, Zougrana has already played 14 matches—six in the CAF Champions League and eight in Ligue 1. He is currently out injured after being forced off during MCA's 2-0 CAF Champions League victory over Young Africans on December 7.
While Zougrana won the award for Best Foreign Player, CS Constantine captain Brahim Dib won the award for the best Algerian player in African football and USM Alger's Oussama Benbout won Best Goalkeeper. Constantine's Kheïreddine Madoui won the award for Best Coach and JS Kabylie's Lahlou Akhrib won Best Young Player.
MC Alger currently sits in second place in Group A of the Champions League with four points, trailing leaders Al Hilal who have nine points. TP Mazembe follows in third with two points while Young Africans are in last place with just one point. There are three rounds remaining in the group stage with MCA's next match on January 5 against Al-Hilal.
Domestically, MC Alger occupies fourth place in the Algerian league standings with 19 points, five points behind leaders JS Kabylie with a game in hand.
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