Algerian football is facing a continental crisis as its clubs struggle to make an impact in African competitions this season. The disappointing performances reveal deeper issues beyond individual results, pointing to systemic challenges in competing at the continental level.
In the CAF Champions League, Algeria’s traditional powerhouses are faltering. Both JS Kabylie (JSK) and MC Alger (MCA) – institutions that have historically carried the nation’s flag in Africa – have managed just one point each from their opening two matches. This represents a significant underperformance for clubs of their stature and resources.
The situation in the CAF Confederation Cup presents a stark contrast between Algeria’s representatives. While USM Alger has shown resilience with two consecutive victories to lead Group A, CR Belouizdad’s campaign suffered a catastrophic setback in Brazzaville.
CRB’s 4-1 demolition by AS Otoho d’Oyo represents more than just a poor result – it exposes the vulnerability of Algerian clubs in challenging African away fixtures. The Congolese side, representing a country with a growing football reputation, dominated the match with three first-half goals, demonstrating the intensity and quality required to succeed in continental competition.
CRB Severely Corrected in Brazzaville
This collapse is particularly puzzling given CRB’s strong start to the group stage, where they comfortably defeated Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars 2-0 at home just a week earlier. The dramatic swing in performance between home and away matches highlights a recurring problem for Algerian clubs – the inability to maintain consistency and adapt to different playing conditions, styles, and environments across the continent.
The contrast between CRB’s performance and USM Alger’s successful outing in Morocco is telling. USMA managed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Olympique Club de Safi, demonstrating the tactical discipline and mental fortitude required to grind out results in difficult away fixtures – precisely what CRB lacked in Congo.
USM Alger Chains Second Consecutive Victory
In the Champions League, the struggles are equally concerning. JS Kabylie’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Al Ahly in Cairo was followed by a disappointing goalless draw against Young Africans at home. Similarly, MC Alger suffered a 2-1 loss to Al-Hilal Omdurman before being held to a 0-0 draw by South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in Algiers.
These results collectively paint a troubling picture of Algerian football’s continental competitiveness. The common threads include:
- Travel struggles: Algerian clubs consistently underperform in away matches, particularly in Central and East Africa
- Tactical inflexibility: Difficulty adapting to different playing styles and conditions
- Defensive fragility: Conceding multiple goals in crucial away fixtures
- Home advantage dilution: Failure to capitalize on home matches with maximum points
The broader context makes these struggles more concerning. African club competitions have become increasingly competitive, with clubs from traditionally “smaller” football nations like Congo, Tanzania, and Sudan demonstrating significant improvement in infrastructure, tactical organization, and player development. Algerian clubs, meanwhile, appear to be stagnating or even regressing in their continental ambitions.
For Algerian football to regain its stature in African competitions, clubs must address these systemic issues through improved preparation for away fixtures, better squad depth to handle the demands of continental travel, and tactical approaches that can adapt to the diverse challenges presented by opponents from across the continent. The current campaign serves as a wake-up call that past glories and domestic dominance don’t automatically translate to continental success.