Algerian football is mourning the passing of legendary coach Mahieddine Khalef who passed away Tuesday at the age of 80 in Algiers.
Khalef led local side JS Kabylie to domestic and continental triumphs as a coach after previously starring for the Tizi Ouzou club as a player. JSK won multiple Algeria Ligue 1 titles under his leadership and also captured two African Cup of Champions Clubs (now known as the CAF Champions League) in 1981 and 1990.
He also managed the Algerian national side between 1979 and 1984.
As a player and coach with JSK, Khacef won 13 major trophies in Algerian and African football. He was instrumental as he led Kabylie to win eight league titles as well as CAF Champions League and Super Cup titles during his tenure. In 2001 he added the CAF Cup to his list of titles as coach before a final retirement that year.
Video: Footage from when JS Kabylie, coached by Khalef, won the 2001 CAF Cup over Egypt's Ismaily SC
Khalef is most remembered for leading Les Fennecs during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He co-managed the team alongside Rachid Mekloufi and was the architect of famous wins against West Germany and Chile as well as a runner-up finish at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and fourth place at the 1982 tournament and third place at the1984 competition.
Along with his friend Mekloufi who passed away a month ago in France, Khalef leaves behind a massive legacy in Algerian and African football.
Comments