USM Alger
Encyclopedia
Union Sportive Médina d'Alger, (Arabic
: إتحاد رياضي مدينة الجزائر), known as USM Alger or simply USMA for short, is an football club based in the city of Algiers
. The club was founded in 1937 and its colours are red and black. Their venue, the Stade Omar Hammadi, has a capacity of some 10,000. The club is currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
USM Alger are one of the most successful clubs in Algeria
, having won the Algerian Championnat National
5 times and the Algerian Cup
a record 7 times. The club also reached the semi-finals of the 2003 CAF Champions League and just missed out on the final of the 1997 CAF Champions League on goal differential.
neighborhood of Algiers
. Along with the original members, the group was joined by Abdelkader Amrani, Omar Hamza, Omar Lakehal, Mohamed Ouali Basta, Mohamed Zennagui and Ali Cherifi. Arezki Meddad was selected as the first president of the club.
On July 16, 1963, USM Alger won the inaugural edition of the Algerian Championnat National after beating MC Alger 3-0 in the final of the national championship playoff. The club reached the final after winning the central regional league and then beating USM Annaba
7-6 on corners in the semi-final.
In 1969, USM Alger reached the final of the Algerian Cup
for the first time in the club's history. However, in the final, they lost 5-3 to CR Belcourt
.
For a complete list of former USM Alger players, see :Category:USM Alger players
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: إتحاد رياضي مدينة الجزائر), known as USM Alger or simply USMA for short, is an football club based in the city of Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
. The club was founded in 1937 and its colours are red and black. Their venue, the Stade Omar Hammadi, has a capacity of some 10,000. The club is currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
USM Alger are one of the most successful clubs in 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...
, having won the Algerian Championnat National
Algerian Championnat National
The Ligue Professionnelle 1 , known as Ligue 1 for short, and formerly known as the Championnat National 1, is the Algerian professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the Algerian football league system...
5 times and the Algerian Cup
Algerian Cup
The Algerian Cup is a football competition in Algeria, pitting regional teams against each other. It was established in October 1962, three months after independence, and has been played yearly since then apart from 1990 and 1993. The 2011 edition was won by JS Kabylie who beat USM El Harrach...
a record 7 times. The club also reached the semi-finals of the 2003 CAF Champions League and just missed out on the final of the 1997 CAF Champions League on goal differential.
History
In May 1937, a group of friends brimming with nationalism came up with the idea of creating a club. The group was made up of Kamel Kemmat, Ali "Lahmar" Zaïd, Ali Slimani, Saïd Bennour, Arezki Meddad and Sid Ali Terkmane. Two months later, on July 5, 1937, the club was founded with its headquarters located at Rue du Divan, now known as Rue Abdelkader Aoua, in the CasbahCasbah
The Casbah ) is specifically the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. More generally, a kasbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns...
neighborhood of Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
. Along with the original members, the group was joined by Abdelkader Amrani, Omar Hamza, Omar Lakehal, Mohamed Ouali Basta, Mohamed Zennagui and Ali Cherifi. Arezki Meddad was selected as the first president of the club.
On July 16, 1963, USM Alger won the inaugural edition of the Algerian Championnat National after beating MC Alger 3-0 in the final of the national championship playoff. The club reached the final after winning the central regional league and then beating USM Annaba
Hamra Annaba
Hamra Annaba Club Sportif Amateur commonly known as Hamra Annaba is an Algerian Championnat National Amateur football club based in Annaba. The club was founded in 1934 as USM Bône. The club changed its name after the country gained independence from France from USM Bône to USM Annaba due to the...
7-6 on corners in the semi-final.
In 1969, USM Alger reached the final of the Algerian Cup
Algerian Cup
The Algerian Cup is a football competition in Algeria, pitting regional teams against each other. It was established in October 1962, three months after independence, and has been played yearly since then apart from 1990 and 1993. The 2011 edition was won by JS Kabylie who beat USM El Harrach...
for the first time in the club's history. However, in the final, they lost 5-3 to CR Belcourt
CR Belouizdad
Chabab Riadhi de Belouizdad is an Algerian football club based in Mohamed Belouizdad, a district of Algiers. It was founded in 1962...
.
Haddad era
On August 4, 2010, USM Alger went public in conjunction with the professionalization of the domestic league. Algerian businessman Ali Haddad became the majority share owner after investing 700 million Algeria dinars to buy an 83% ownership in the club. On October 27, 2010, Haddad replaced Saïd Allik as president of the club. Allik had been the club's president for the past 18 years.Honours
- Algerian Championnat NationalAlgerian Championnat NationalThe Ligue Professionnelle 1 , known as Ligue 1 for short, and formerly known as the Championnat National 1, is the Algerian professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the Algerian football league system...
: 5
-
- Winner: 1963, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2005
- Runner-up: 1998, 2001, 2004
- Algerian CupAlgerian CupThe Algerian Cup is a football competition in Algeria, pitting regional teams against each other. It was established in October 1962, three months after independence, and has been played yearly since then apart from 1990 and 1993. The 2011 edition was won by JS Kabylie who beat USM El Harrach...
: 7
-
- Winner: 1981, 1988, 1997, 1999, 2001, 20032002–03 Algerian CupThe 2002–03 Algerian Cup was the 39th edition of the Algerian Cup. USM Alger won the Cup by defeating CR Belouizdad 2-1 in extra time in the final after the game ended 1-1. It was USM Alger's sixth Algerian Cup in its history.-Round of 16:-Quarter-finals:...
, 20042003–04 Algerian CupThe 2003–04 Algerian Cup was the 40th edition of the Algerian Cup. USM Alger won the Cup by defeating JS Kabylie 5-4 on penalties in the final after the game ended 0-0... - Finalist: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1980, 20062005–06 Algerian CupThe 2005–06 Algerian Cup was the 42nd edition of the Algerian Cup. MC Alger won the Cup by defeating city rivals USM Alger 2-1 in the final with two goals from Noureddine Daham...
, 20072006–07 Algerian CupThe 2006–07 Algerian Cup was the 43rd edition of the Algerian Cup. MC Alger won the Cup by defeating city rivals USM Alger 1-0 in the final with a goal from midfielder Fodil Hadjadj...
- Winner: 1981, 1988, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003
- CAF Champions LeagueCAF Champions LeagueThe CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
:
-
- Semi-Finalist: 1997, 2003
Performance in CAF competitions
- CAF Champions LeagueCAF Champions LeagueThe CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
: 6 Appearances
-
- 1997CAF Champions League 1997The 1997 CAF Champions League was the 33rd edition of Africa's premier club football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football , and the 1st edition under the current CAF Champions League format...
- Group Stage - 2003 - Semi-Finals
- 2004 - Group Stage
- 2005CAF Champions League 2005The CAF Champions League 2005 started on 29 January 2005 with a preliminary round. The two legs of the final were played on 28 October and 12 November, with Egypt's Al-Ahly coming out as 3-0 aggregate winners.-Preliminary Round:...
- Second Round - 2006CAF Champions League 2006The CAF Champions League 2006 started on 17 February 2006 with a preliminary round. The second leg of the final was played in Tunisia on the 11th of November. Al-Ahly won the tournament for the second time in a row with a late winner by Mohamed Aboutreika....
- First Round - 2007CAF Champions League 2007The CAF Champions League 2007 was the 11th occurrence of the CAF Champions League, the most prestigious club football competition in Africa. Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia became champions for the first time, beating Al-Ahly of Egypt 3–1 in a two-legged final.-Preliminary round:The 1st legs were...
- Preliminary Round
- 1997
- CAF Confederation CupCAF Confederation CupThe CAF Confederation Cup is an international club association football competition run by the Confederation of African Football.-Qualification:...
: 2 Appearances
-
- 2005CAF Confederation Cup 2005The CAF Confederation Cup 2005 started with the preliminary round that was played in January and February 2005. FAR Rabat of Morocco beat Dolphins F.C. of Nigeria in the final.-Preliminary round:1st legs played 30 January 2005....
- Intermediate Round - 2007CAF Confederation Cup 2007The CAF Confederation Cup 2007 is scheduled to begin with the preliminary round in late January and mid-February with the second round in March and the third round in April.-Preliminary round:1st legs played 26–28 January 2007....
- First Round
- 2005
- CAF CupCAF CupThe CAF Cup was an annual competition organised by the CAF for domestic leagues runner-ups of member associations who haven't qualified to one of the two pre-existing CAF international club competitions the African Cup of Champions Clubs or the African Cup Winners' Cup.-Format:Only runner-ups of...
: 1 Appearance
-
- 1999 - Quarter-Finals
- CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 5 Appearances
-
- 1982 - Quarter-Finals
- 1989 - Quarter-Finals
- 1998 - Quarter-Finals
- 2000 - Disqualified in First Round
- 2002 - Semi-Finals
Current squad (2011-2012)
As of August 15, 2011:On loan
Reserve squad
Notable players
Below are the notable former players who have represented USM Alger in league and international competition since the club's foundation in 1937. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club or represented the national team for which the player is eligible during his stint with USM Alger or following his departure.For a complete list of former USM Alger players, see :Category:USM Alger players
Algeria Merouane Abdouni Merouane Abdouni Merouane Abdouni is an footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for USM Blida in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2.-Biography:... Hocine Achiou Hocine Achiou Hocine Achiou is an Algerian footballer. He is currently playing for ASO Chlef in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.-Football career:... Amar Ammour Amar Ammour Amar Ammour , is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a midfielder for CR Belouizdad in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.-Club career:... Salim Aribi Salim Aribi Salim Aribi is an Algerian footballer. As of 2006, he plays for USM Alger.He was part of the Algerian 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished second in their group in the first round of competition before being defeated by Morocco in the quarter-finals.-National team... Abdelaziz Bentifour Isâad Bourahli Isâad Bourahli Isâad Bourahli is an Algerian football player who is currently playing for USM Alger in the Algerian league... Rabah Deghmani Rabah Deghmani Rabah Deghmani , is an Algerian footballer, who currently plays for WR Bentalha in the Algerian league.-Honours:*Won the Algerian league three times in 2002, 2003 and 2005 with USM Alger... Farid Djahnine Billel Dziri Billel Dziri Billel Dziri is a retired Algerian football player. He played most of his career with USM Alger, and had spells with Étoile Sportive du Sahel in Tunisia, CS Sedan Ardennes in France's Ligue 1... Karim Ghazi Karim Ghazi Karim Ghazi is an Algerian footballer. He currently plays for MC Alger in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.From 2002 to 2005, Ghazi made 16 appearances for the Algeria national football team.-Club career:... |
Moulay Haddou Mohamed Hamdoud Mohamed Hamdoud Mohamed "Moha" Hamdoud is an Algerian football defender. He currently plays for Paradou AC.-Honours:* Won the Algerian League three times with USM Alger in 2002, 2003 and 2005... Djamel Keddou Djamel Keddou Djamel Keddou was an Algerian football player and manager. He spent his entire playing career with USM Alger and had 25 caps for the Algeria national football team, winning a gold medal at the 1975 Mediterranean Games in Algiers. As a manager, he lead USM Alger to the Algerian Cup in 1987, beating... Mahieddine Meftah Mahieddine Meftah Mahieddine "Tchico" Meftah is a former Algerian national footballer. He currently holds the record as the most capped Algerian player... Hocine Metref Hocine Metref Hocine Metref is an Algerian international football player. He currently plays as a defender and midfielder for JS Kabylie in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.-International goals:Scores and results list Algeria's goal tally first... Djamel Menad Hichem Mezaïr Hamza Yacef Hamza Yacef Hamza Yacef , is an Algerian footballer. He currently plays for CS Constantine in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2.- Club career :... Mounir Zeghdoud Mounir Zeghdoud Mounir Zeghdoud , Algeria, is an Algerian football player who plays for JSM Béjaïa in the Algerian league.Zeghdoud made 34 appearances for the Algeria national football team.-Honours:... Djamel Zidane |
Mali Mamadou Diallo Mamadou Diallo (Malian footballer) Mamadou Diallo is a Malian football striker, who plays for CS Sedan Ardennes.- Career :Diallo started his playing career with Malian club Centre Salif Keita. He joined Algerian club USM Alger in 2003. In his first season with the club, he played 10 times and scored 2 goals... Mintou Doucoure Mintou Doucoure Mintou Doucoure is a Malian footballer who plays for USM Annaba in the Algerian Championnat National.- Career :He played in 2002 on loan by Dubai Club from JS Centre Setif Keita, as of 2003 turned back to JS Centre Setif Keita, before 2005 scouted from USM Alger.- International :He was part of the... Nigeria Michael Eneramo Michael Eneramo Michael Eneramo is a Nigerian football striker who plays for Sivasspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.-Club career:... |