Algiers, Algeria – The decisive moment has arrived in the Algerian Ligue 1 “Mobilis” professional football championship, with the final round of matches on Friday and Saturday set to determine both the league champion and which team faces relegation.MC Alger on the Verge of GloryLeague leaders MC Alger, with 57 points, are in a prime position to secure the title on their home turf against Nedjm Magra, a team threatened with relegation. The Algiers-based club is looking to retain the championship it won last season after a 14-year wait.After securing a draw against ASO Chlef (0-0) last Tuesday, the squad, led by coach Khaled Benyahia, now requires just a single point to claim the ninth league title in the club’s history. Barring a major upset, MC Alger is heavily favored to celebrate its second consecutive championship in front of a massive crowd of supporters expected at the 5th of July Olympic Stadium to cheer on captain Ayoub Abdellaoui and his teammates.Their opponent, Nedjm Magra, currently in 15th place with 30 points, must achieve a monumental feat at the Olympic stadium to survive. Fresh off a 2-1 victory against CS Constantine, their hopes also depend on their direct rival, ES Mostaganem (14th place, 31 points), dropping points in a challenging match against Paradou AC (5th place, 41 points).The Race for Second Place and African Champions League QualificationCR Belouizdad, holding the runner-up spot with 54 points, travels to Béjaïa to face Olympique Akbou, a team that has already secured its place in the top division. CR Belouizdad aims for a victory to guarantee at least a second-place finish, which qualifies for the African Champions League. While mathematically still in the title race, their fate is not in their hands, as they need a win combined with a home defeat for MC Alger.Meanwhile, JS Kabylie, which slipped to third place with 53 points after a 0-0 draw in Mostaganem, will host ASO Chlef. The players under German coach Josef Zinnbauer must win and hope for a draw or loss by CR Belouizdad to reclaim second place and a spot in the prestigious African Champions League.Other Key MatchupsIn other final-round games, JS Saoura, having climbed back to fourth place after a 3-2 win against Paradou AC, will look to defend this position as they travel to Constantine to face the local club, CS Constantine, which is coming off two consecutive losses. The remaining three matches of the final round—ES Sétif vs. US Biskra, US Khenchela vs. MC El Bayadh, and MC Oran vs. USM Alger—will have no impact on the final league standings.
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