Algiers – The second round of the Ligue 1 Mobilis football championship, scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 29-31, 2025, will be headlined by an exciting derby between the two capital clubs, USM Alger and MC Alger. Meanwhile, newly promoted ASO Rouisset aims to confirm its strong start when it hosts MC El Bayadh.
The highly anticipated capital derby, considered the highlight of the round, will see two teams aspiring to lead the championship face off at an unusual venue, the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, rather than their typical grounds.
Both USM Alger and MC Alger were forced to rest during the opening round, as their match was postponed due to several players participating with the Algerian national team in the 2024 African Nations Championship for local players (CHAN), delayed to 2025.
USM Alger, led by their returning coach Abdelhak Benchikha, aims to kick off the season strongly against their traditional rivals to signal their ambitions for the new campaign.
On the other hand, MC Alger, the defending champions for the past two seasons, is determined to secure a third consecutive title. Under the guidance of South African coach Rolani Mokoena, who faces his first real test in this eagerly awaited clash, the team is eager to start the season on a high note.
The second round will also mark the home debuts of the newly promoted sides, ASO Rouisset and ES Ben Aknoun, in Ligue 1.
ASO Rouisset, making their historic debut in the elite division and coming off a significant 2-1 victory against JS Saoura in the opening round, will host MC El Bayadh, who suffered a 0-2 home defeat to CS Constantine.
ES Ben Aknoun, returning to Ligue 1 after a single season in the amateur division, faces a tough challenge at the August 20 Stadium in Algiers against last season’s runners-up, JS Kabylie, bolstered by key signings such as striker Ayman Mahious and defender Zinedine Belaid.
Meanwhile, CR Belouizdad, who finished third last season and had their opening match against MC Alger postponed, will face Paradou AC, who settled for a goalless draw at home against ASO Chlef in the first round. CR Belouizdad, aiming to reclaim the title lost in 2024, must navigate this match carefully, especially as Paradou, coached by Dziri Bilal, is determined to make a statement.
ASO Chlef will host USM Khenchela in a match open to all possibilities, while ES Mostaganem, who narrowly avoided relegation last season but suffered a loss to Olympique Akbou in the opening round, faces a tough challenge against CS Constantine, who return from El Bayadh with confidence.
Elsewhere, ES Sétif returns to their home ground at the May 8, 1945 Stadium to face JS Saoura, who were stunned at home by ASO Rouisset in the first round.
Finally, the Maghreb Unity Stadium in Béjaïa will host an intriguing encounter between Olympique Akbou and MC Oran, both of whom enjoyed a successful start to the season.
