The 2024/2025 Algerian Amateur Second League kicks off this weekend, featuring the Central-West and Central-East groups, with exciting local derbies and fierce competition as clubs aim for promotion or survival.
The Algerian Amateur Second League returns this weekend, marking the start of the 2024/2025 football season. After a break of more than three months, clubs have recharged and strengthened their squads during the summer transfer window, with some aiming for promotion and others focusing on avoiding relegation, depending on their resources.
While the usual contenders for promotion are well-known, there are teams that have prepared quietly, hoping to surprise everyone, much like Olympique Akbou did last season.
The opening round will feature some exciting local derbies, such as Raed Chabab Kouba against rivals NA Hussein Dey in the Central-West group, and CS Constantine vs US Chaouia in the Central-East group.
Central-West: Raed Kouba and NA Hussein Dey Favorites, JS El Biar a Dark Horse
In the Central-West group, both Raed Kouba and NA Hussein Dey have shown clear intentions to fight for promotion with key signings and experienced coaching staff. These two clubs also held pre-season training camps in Tunisia.
Raed Kouba, who narrowly missed promotion last season, will be determined to start strong, although they face a tough opener against arch-rivals NA Hussein Dey. The club has signed notable players, including top scorer from MO Batna, Amine Ghadbane (22 goals), and renewed the contract of team captain Sid Ali Yahia Cherif. They are also counting on coach Mourad Karouf, the mastermind behind Olympique Akbou’s historic promotion to the professional league last season.
NA Hussein Dey, on the other hand, aims to return to the top tier after a long absence. The club has made key signings, including Massinissa Abdat, an attacker from MC Saida, and veteran defenders Mohamed Namani and Chamseddine Nessakh. Despite a solid pre-season, they will face Raed Kouba in a derby that will miss some atmosphere due to restrictions on visiting fans at the Benhaddad Stadium, currently under renovation.
Other teams like JS El Biar, a newcomer to the division, aim to surprise, having prepared away from the spotlight in hopes of becoming the “dark horse,” much like Olympique Akbou did last season. Clubs like MC Saïda and US Bechar Djedid will also be looking for a strong start at home.
Central-East: US Annaba and USM El Harrach Lead Promotion Race
In the Central-East group, the battle for promotion is expected to be fierce, with US Annaba and USM El Harrach emerging as the top contenders. US Annaba held their pre-season camp in Tunisia, playing several friendly matches under their new coach, Nadir Laknaoui, and with experienced players such as Abdelkrim Namdil and Ahmed Kaakaa.
The first round will see a major clash between US Annaba and MO Batna, while USM El Harrach will hope to compete for promotion with new signings like playmaker Hicham Laakabi and striker Mohamed Amine Abid.
Other teams like CS Constantine and MO Batna, who narrowly missed promotion last season, will also be vying for a top spot. Newly promoted clubs like JS Jijel and US Chaouia will aim to stay competitive, while teams like MS Rouissat will focus on avoiding relegation.
For more updates, visit dzwatch.dz.
Author: Nor-Eleslam
