Chaabane Merzekane is a former Algeria

Algeria

Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...

n footballer

Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

, who played as a defender

Defender (football)

Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....

. He was a key member of the Algerian National Team

Algeria national football team

The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...

 that took part in the 1982 FIFA World Cup

1982 FIFA World Cup

The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...

, playing the full 90 minutes in all three of the teams games.

Merzekane's first club was his neighborhood team, Onalait d'Hussein-Dey, where he played alongside Rabah Madjer

Rabah Madjer

Mustapha Rabah Madjer is a retired Algerian footballer.A skilled striker, he reached stardom as an F.C. Porto player during the 1980s, and is widely regarded as one of the best Algerian football players of all time. He is widely remembered for scoring on 77 minutes, an audacious back-heeled...

. He spent most of his career playing for NA Hussein Dey

NA Hussein Dey

Nasr Athlétique de Hussein Dey is an Algerian football club based in Hussein Dey, Algiers. The club was founded in 1947 by the merger of three clubs from Hussein Dey: Nedjma Sport de Hussein Dey, l’Idéal Club de la Glacière and l’Espérance Sportive de Léveilley. Their home stadium is Stade Frères...

 and also had a brief stint with MC Alger. He also coached MO Béjaïa

MO Béjaïa

Mouloudia Olympique de Béjaïa is an Algerian football club based in Béjaïa, Algeria. Founded in 1954, the team currently plays in the second division, one level below the Algerian Championnat National....

 and USM El Harrach

USM El Harrach

Union Sportive de la Médina d'El Harrach is an Algerian football club based in El Harrach, a district of Algiers. It was founded in 1935...

briefly after his retirement.