In recent weeks there’s been a real focus on the African continent. The African Cup of Nations is ongoing in Cameroon, with 24 of the best teams all battling it out to be named the best on the continent.
One of the most-watched teams has been Algeria, a team with a very successful period in international football over the past few years. They won the title of African Champions by defeating Senegal in 2019, but not only have they held that title, but they are also the reigning champions of the Arab Cup. Their next aim, according to African News is to qualify for a place in the 2022 World Cup, as they take on Cameroon in a winner takes all contest at the end of March.
Suppose they do manage to make it into the competition against the best football nations in the world. In that case, it just further highlights how they have a real abundance of talent, with some players of Algerian descent now being some of the highest-paid in the world.
Although the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle may not be that well known, there are many teams with a rich history, while others are much newer but are making real waves in the top division. Let’s take a look at some of the best football teams in Algeria below.
The Best Football Teams in Algeria.
Algerian football teams are becoming well known around Africa and the world of football after representations in some International tournaments and friendlies. Who are the best football teams in Algeria? The argument will never be settled without mentioning these teams in Algerian domestics football. Our criteria for this list of the best football teams in Algeria revolves around current standing in domestic competitions and on the continent. Lets discuss the best football teams in Algeria and a brief history about them.
1. ES Sétifienne
Es Sétif is one of the best football teams in Algeria, the club founded in 1958 is one of the country’s most successful clubs. They have won their domestic championship eight times and are one of only three Algerian clubs to have won the CAF Champions League, which they’ve achieved on two occasions.
The first of those successes came when they defeated the Nigerian team, Iwuanyanwu Nationale; what stands out even more from that victory is that Es Sétif was in the second division in Algerian football at the time. They’re the only club in the history of the African Champions Cup outside of the top divisions in Africa to have won the tournament.
2. CR Belouizdad
Based in Algiers, CRB, as they are sometimes known, has competed in the top division of Algerian football for a record 55 seasons and are currently flying high in domestic competition. It was demonstrated by how they were overwhelming favourites to brush past MC Oran recently in Coral’s live football betting odds, and cement their place at the top of the table.
Belouizdad are one of the most well-known clubs in the country and cite former player Islam Slimani as one of their most recent success stories. The current member of the national squad, who scored 32 goals in 98 games for the club, is now a striker for Olympique Lyon in France.
3. JS Saoura
Jeunesse Sportive de La Saoura, to give them their full name, are one of the newest clubs in the Algerian top division but they have become very prominent quickly. Formed in 2008, the club immediately began its path to the top by winning its way through the regional leagues and within four years were amongst the country’s elite. In 2015/16, just eight years after the club was formed, they finished the season as the best in the country. It was a feat they repeated in the 2017/18 season and are now regulars in the CAF Champions League too.
4. MC Alger
MC Alger is the oldest club on this list, and their home, the Stade du 5 Juliet, is the biggest in Algerian football. The club, known under two other names previously, was formed in 1921 and was the first club from the country to win the African Cup of Champions Clubs (CAF Champions Cup) in 1976. Nicknamed ‘The People’s Club’ due to them being recognised as having the most significant fanbase in the country, MC Alger has won the domestic league seven times in their history and the domestic cup three times.
