USM Alger

Union Sportive Médina d'Alger
ألإتحاد الرياضي لمدينة الجزائر

Full name	Union Sportive Médina d'Alger
Nickname(s)	L'USMA Soustara Ouled El Bahdja Ouled El Hamra Kahraba The Reds and Blacks
Founded	July 5, 1937 (1937-07-05) as Union Sportive Musulmane d'Alger
Ground	Stade Omar Hammadi, Algiers Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers (Derbies Only)
Ground Capacity	Stade Omar Hammadi (17,000) Stade 5 Juillet 1962 (85,000)
President	Ali Haddad
Head Coach	Hubert Velud
League	Ligue Professionnelle 1
2013–14	Ligue Professionnelle 1, 1st
Website	www.usm-alger.com Club home page
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Union Sportive Médina d'Alger, (Arabic: إتحاد رياضي مدينة الجزائر), known as USM Alger or simply USMA for short, is a 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 6 times, the Algerian Cup 8 times followed with the Algerian Super Cup 1 time and twice runner-up and won the UAFA Club Cup once. 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.^[1] 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 Casbah 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.

Before continuing his remarks, Hadj Kemmat ran his hand through his hair, puffed his umpteenth cigarette and added: "It was a way to let us know and the results were not long in coming. Abderrahman Ibrir, a former center-half of ASTA, became goalkeeper with us and even showed his first Algiers our colors. Others, seduced by the club, followed him. There was Hassen Zitouni, Rabah Zouaoui, Smaïn Mahmoudi - bright as lightning winger, although he was lame in one leg all MCA. NACRI M'hamed and Houari GS Orléansville (now Chlef), Berkani of O.Tizi Ouzou, and many others ... "The USMA is a club known despite the limited resources she had. The resumption of official competitions occur in 1942.

After a coffee break, Kemmat evoked the spirit that prevailed at the time and it was exciting to experience this summer period! Everyone working in the same direction, towards the same goal and for the good of all, it's fantastic! In this regard, he pointed out: "The locker room? We never went in victory. It was after the defeats that players and coaches need support. They were not our son? Ought they not protect them? More vulnerable than elsewhere, our players have a vital need. Consider that among them there which was born. For others, there was at birth and their circumcision and finally their marriage. "It is clear that under these conditions, the young, educated as he was, can not answer that with respect. And that's what all ask those men who, like Mr. Kemmat sacrificed a part of their lives without asking anything in return. The list of dead children to the country club is telling: Ali Zaid said Lahmar, Athman Doudah, Belkaraoui Abdelkader Mekirri Boualem, Hamitouche Mohamed Mustapha Ouaguenouni, Mustapha Oukid, Allal Oukid, Mohamed Basta, Halami Mohamed, Abdelkader Boudissa Mahmoud Louchal , Slama said Merzak "Pons," said Mustapha Lounas "Hafiz" Mustapha Dimmama ... May they rest in peace, Algerian youth in general and the particular club that took over are proud. Finally, before completing his testimony on the creation of the USMA, held Kemmat remarks that tell a lot about modesty.

The 1960s

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.^[2] The club reached the final after winning the central regional league and then beating USM Annaba 7–6 on corners in the semi-final.

The Red and Black, led by player-coach Abdelaziz Bentifour easily outweigh the score of 3–0 in a match played at the Stade d'El Annasser. Hence the club to Soustara had the honor and privilege of being the first club to win the championship title in the era of independent Algeria.^[3]

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.^[4]

After The 1970s

Despite the quality of players who have played at the USMA, the championship title was turned away from the club for more than three decades, although the team has to make a successful record of finals played in Algerian Cup. USM Alger in seven finals without having snatched a cup, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1980. Now, Lady Cup smiled at the club for the first time in 1981 and the second in 1988 . These lean decades have been characterized by ups and downs, as the years passed and the club fell repeatedly in the lower divisions.

In 1995, USMA, chaired by Said Alik, newly elected head of the club by the General Assembly, began to back away from. This is where the golden age for the team's flagship Soustara started because the club has managed, in the year 1995 to meet the elite, to the delight of all lovers of the club who saw their favorite team reconnect with the accolades, titles and trophies. This is the beginning of an epic that would continue until 2005.

The following season and won the bet after the accession, coach Younis Ifticen leaves the ship. Nour Benzekri arrive and drive USMA during the first half of the 1995–96 season, before leaving. Mustaha Aksouh takes over; he managed to lead the club to its second league title. At the end of the season, USMA ended with a total of 60 points.

From 1996 to 2001, Usmistes did not succeed in the league too. A period of drought had just won, leaving the club just the honorary title of vice-champion in 1998 and 2001. However, the data are different in Algerian Cup because the club has expanded its list with three other Cups Algerian in 1997 against CA Batna (1–0), in 1999 against JS Kabylie (2–0) and the third in 2001, facing the CRB Mécheria (1–0).

In 2002, with the composition of a team that raflait everything in its path, success with the championship title back. Red and Black managed that season to win the third championship title in Division 1 club history. First place with 57 points, 5 units ahead of the JS Kabylie. In 2002–03 season, the team goes into high gear and harvest valuable booty, this is the first double of its history (league and cup), under the leadership of coach Azzedine Aït Djoudi.

After doubling in 2003, the seventh and Algerian Cup final was won in 2004 against JS Kabylie where the club won by penalties. And since everything has an end, 2005 was for Usmistes the end of an era that has long been dreaming all lovers of the club. The fifth league title was won under the leadership of Mustapha Aksouh. During this season, the Red and Black flew over the competition, finishing with a huge 13 point lead on the prosecutor, JS Kabylie.

A continental scale, teammates Captain Billel Dziri came twice to the semifinals of the prestigious African Champions League at that time, in 1997 and 2003 exactly.

Haddad era

On August 4, 2010, USM Alger went public in conjunction with the professionalization of the domestic league.^[5] Algerian businessman Ali Haddad became the majority share owner after investing 700 million Algeria dinars to buy an 83% ownership in the club.^[6] On October 27, 2010, Haddad replaced Saïd Allik as president of the club.^[7] Allik had been the club's president for the past 18 years.

The first of season of professional football in Algeria was a tough season for USM Alger. Indeed, the club finished in ninth in the championship and gets his continued until the last day thanks to a 3–0 win over the USM Annaba.^[8] That is, the worst ranking since the club 1999–00 season. As of Cup of Algeria, the Usmistes are eliminated in the first round.^[9] The 2010–11 season also saw Noureddine Saadi, coach chief since of August 2009, be removed from office on December 11, 2010.^[10] The technician French Hervé Renard, will replace him as head of the technical bar in January 2011.^[11]

In the Algerian Cup Final, played at Stade 5 Juillet 1962, the Algerian Ligue 1 clubs USM Alger and MC Alger will contest the final, in what will be the 92nd edition of the Algiers Derby. USM Alger beat MC Alger 1–0, with a goal by Benmoussa scored in injury time, USM Alger win their eighth major trophy also gave the club a place in the Preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, USM Alger were appearing in a final a record seventeenth time and had won the cup seven times.

In May 2013, USM Alger won their first international title after beating Kuwaiti club Al-Arabi 3–2 on aggregate in the final of the 2012–13 UAFA Club Cup.^[12]

In 2014, USM Alger qualified for the CAF Champions League. The following year, they won the Ligue 1, their first league title for 9 years after by beating RC Arbaâ 2–1 on the 28 day of the season, The championship marked Usmistes first Algerian title since 2005, and won the Super Cup after beating ES Sétif 2–0 at Stade Mustapha Tchaker on 11 January 2014.

Colours and badge

The original colors were USMA red and Maroon, colors hoisted to the club 1937, year of creation, 1945.^[13] The origin of these colors is unknown.

In May 1945, following Setif massacre, Guelma and Kherrata, the club decided to replace garnet by the black in homage to 45,000 protesters Alegrian killed by the bloody repression of the French Armed Forces. Black represents mourning and red blood of the victims.

45,000 Algerian demonstrators came out to celebrate the end of hostilities in World War II that day, recalling the colonial forces their patriotic claims. But the bloody repression of the French army found no other way to meet their legitimate demands that cause genocide. To show their patriotic commitment and sympathy, the leaders of the USMA decided to keep the black is synonymous with grief and change Maroon red represents the blood of martyrs who fell that day.

1963

1973

2004

2011

2012

2013

Stadium

Stade Omar Hamadi (Arabic: ستاد عمر حمّادي‎) is a multi-purpose stadium in Bologhine, Algiers, Algeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of USM Alger. The stadium has a capacity of 17,000 people.

The stadium was built in 1935 as the home ground for l’Association Sportive Saint Eugénoise.^[14] It was known as the Stade communal de Saint Eugène.

In 1957, the third platform will be built, consisting of two superimposed stands on the south side, arched and connecting the two original stands, this new platform will give a modern look at the municipal stadium.

After the independence of Algeria in 1962, the stage of St. Eugene will be called Bologhine new name for the town.

The upper gallery of the stadium was severely damaged at the piers during the 1980 earthquake that devastated the city of El-Asnam (currently Chlef) and has since remained off limits to the public and eventually - after endless work - being demolished in 2003.

In 1998, the stadium was renamed Bologhine fire-Omar Hamadi, a former leader of the club and revolutionary the first time (he was sentenced to death during the War of National Liberation) and who was tragically killed along with his two son at Bouzareah (Algiers) by a terrorist group in 1995.

In 2000 a new stand was built to expand the home stadium capacity, and spent 12,000 to 17,500 spectators, USM Alger club that holds the concession for the stadium has also invested in the development of infrastructure necessary for recovery and training for players: sauna, gym and restaurant.

Stade 5 Juillet 1962 or 5 July 1962 Stadium (Arabic: ملعب 5 جويلية 1962‎) (the name refers to 5 July 1962, the day Algeria declared independence from France), also known as El Djezair Stadium (Arabic: ملعب 5 جويلية بالجزائر‎), is a football and athletics stadium located in Algiers, Algeria. The stadium was inaugurated in 1972 with a capacity of 85,000.

Regarding the USMA, the stadium is home to the derbies algérois,^[15] but also international meetings deemed too important to be held at Stade Omar Hamadi, whose capacity is only formatnum 17,000 places. The Usmistes won six of eight Algerian cups at July 5.

Rivalries

MC Alger

The biggest rivalry is that met with the Mouloudia Algiers, and sees the two clubs contest the local dominance during the Algiers derby. This rivalry dates back to the ancient 1950 and results from a non-sports disputes during the Algerian War. In 1956, the National Liberation Front (FLN) ordered the cessation of all sports and boycott competition by clubs called "Muslim. "Mouloudia unlike USM Alger and other Muslims clubs, refused to follow the instructions of the FLN and continued his sporting activities including football. This refusal generated several incidents to disrupt the meetings of the MC Algiers, and thus, during halftime of the game between Mouloudia and AS Saint-Eugénoise the municipal stadium of St. Eugene, violent clashes took place and forced the referee to stop the meeting. Following these incidents, Mohamed Tiar, then president of MCA, resigned himself to stop all sports activities of the club and, therefore, to take the side of the FLN and other Muslims clubs Algerian .

JS Kabylie

The rivalry with the JS Kabylie is relatively recent compared to that that there is with Mouloudia. This sporting rivalry date of the 1996–97 season, season or USMA then any newly promoted D1 won his second league title. This fact marked the handover of the leadership of the Algerian football JSK USMA for next ten years, which will create moult disagreement between the two presidents at the time Saïd Allik and Mohand Chérif Hannachi.

Certainly USMA is older than JS Kabylie but there has always been a very strong Kabyle community in the city of Algiers. It is customary to say that USMA is the club of "Kabyle" Algiers, it is borne by the descendants of those who settled in the French presence among the popular classes.

CR Belouizdad

he first meeting between the USMA and CRB took place 30 September 1962 in a friendly environment. The Shabab Riadhi Belcourt newly created 15 in July of that year, held a pre-season tournament at Municipal Stadium. USMA was one of the teams invited to participate in the tournament alongside JSK and ESMA. USMA eventual champions Algeria, dominates the CRB with a score of five goals to one (5–1).^[16]

ES Sétif

Sponsors

Sonelgaz is the main sponsor USM Algiers since the sports reform of 1977, the company logo is displayed on the front of team jersey as part of the sponsorship. And until 2011, this logo was even on the emblem of the USMA.

The telecommunications company Djezzy GSM sponsors the club since 2005.^[17] Ownership of the majority shareholder of the club, Ali Haddad, the construction company ETRHB, and it also sponsors since 2010.

The German firm Adidas, is the supplier of the club since July 2012.^[18]

Other sponsors have sponsored the club in the past, such as: Canon Dekorex, Armedic ARTC Insurance, Sonatrach and Renault Trucks.

Years	Football kit	Main sponsor
1970s	Le Coq Sportif
1978–97	-	Sonelgaz
1994–95	Uhlsport
1995–97	Kappa
1997–99	Uhlsport
1999–00	Puma SE
2000–02		Khalifa Group
2002–05	Uhlsport	Sonelgaz
2005–08	Lotto	Djezzy GSM
2008–10	Uhlsport
2010–11		ETRHB Haddad
2011–12	Nike
2012–15	Adidas

Honours

Domestic competitions

• Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1

Champion (6): 1963, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014

Runner-up (4): 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006

• Algerian Cup

Winner (8): 1981, 1988, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2013

Runner-up (9): 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1980, 2006, 2007

• Algerian Super Cup: 1

Winner (1): 2013

Runner-up (2): 1981, 2014

International competitions

• UAFA Club Cup

Winner (1): 2013

• Maghreb Cup Winners Cup

Runner-up (1): 1970

Performance in CAF competitions

• CAF Champions League: 6 Appearances

1997 - Group Stage 2003 - Semi-finals

2004 - Group Stage 2005 - Second Round

2006 - First Round 2007 - Preliminary Round

• CAF Confederation Cup: 2 Appearances

2005 - Intermediate Round

2013 - First Round

• CAF Cup: 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

USM Alger in Algerian Football

Current squad

As of January 21, 2015:^[19]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche 3 DF Ayoub Abdellaoui 4 DF Abdelkader Laïfaoui 5 MF Abderrahmane Bourdim 6 DF Farouk Chafaï 7 FW Zinedine Ferhat 8 MF Kaddour Beldjilali 9 FW Carolus 10 MF Youcef Belaïli 11 MF Hocine El Orfi 12 FW Manucho 13 MF Nassim Bouchema 14 FW Rachid Nadji 15 MF Bouazza Feham

No. Position Player 16 GK Abdenour Merzouki 18 FW Mohamed Seguer 20 DF Nacereddine Khoualed 21 FW Rostand Kako 23 MF Hamza Koudri 24 MF Mohamed Benkhemassa 25 DF Mokhtar Benmoussa 26 DF Brahim Boudebouda 27 GK Mourad Berrefane 28 MF Karim Baïteche 29 DF Salim Laassami 30 DF Mohamed Rabie Meftah 33 FW Abdelkader Bentahar 34 GK Hossin Lagoun

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 List of USM Alger players

Algeria Merouane Abdouni Hocine Achiou Rachid Aftouche Amar Ammour Salim Aribi Boubekeur Belbekri Abdelaziz Bentifour Hamid Bernaoui Isâad Bourahli Rabah Deghmani Farid Djahnine Billel Dziri

Djamel El Okbi Karim Ghazi Tarek Ghoul Nacer Guedioura Moulay Haddou Mohamed Hamdoud Djamel Keddou Khaled Lemmouchia Mahieddine Meftah Djamel Menad Hocine Metref Hichem Mezaïr Amokrane Oualiken

Krimo Rebih Hamza Yacef Mounir Zeghdoud Lamine Zemmamouche Djamel Zidane France Freddy Zemmour Mali Mamadou Diallo Mintou Doucoure Nigeria Michael Eneramo

Current coaching staff

As of 8 October 2014

Position	Name
Manager	Otto Pfister
Assistant Manager	Ivica Todorov
Assistant Manager	Alain Ouombléon-Guédou
First Team Coach U21	Mahieddine Meftah
Goalkeeping Coach	Farid Belmellat
Fitness Coach
First Team Doctor	Abderrahmane Ibouchoukene
Physiotherapist	Noureddine Ould-Ali
Physiotherapist	Armand Sène
Kit Manager

Presidents and managers

Presidential history

Founder member of the club, Arezki Meddad is chosen by his peers to be the first president in the history of USMA. Arezki Meddad was the first president, but he has not been included in the prefecture. It's in his coffee, rue du Divan in the Casbah - which also housed the headquarters of the Étoile Nord-Africaine - that was created USMA.

The first president was officially registered on Ali Shahid Hammar said "Ali Zaied" tortured to death in March 1957, the club was in time for the official address of coffee Benkanoun located Randon street in the Casbah.

With nine major trophies (4 championships and five cups) in sixteen at the helm of the club season, Said Allik is the most successful president of USM Alger.

Managerial history

Below is a list of USM Alger coaches from 1942 until the present day.