Algeria: MC Oran extend winning streak to reclaim Ligue 1 summit

MC Oran continued their impressive run of form with a 3-1 victory over MB Rouissat in Ouargla, reclaiming top spot in the Algerian Ligue 1 standings ahead of MC Alger’s match in El Bayadh.

The visitors wasted no time asserting themselves, and Boukholda opened the scoring in the 17th minute with his fourth goal of the campaign to give MC Oran an early advantage.

However, MB Rouissat responded just before the break through Nigerian forward Fatawu, who levelled the score with a superbly struck free-kick in the 43rd minute.

The second half saw MC Oran regain control of proceedings.

In the 72nd minute, Aliane restored their lead with another direct free-kick — almost identical in position to Fatawu’s equaliser.

Just three minutes later, Hamra sealed the result, finishing off an excellent team move to make it 3-1 and confirm the visitors’ dominance.

The win marks MC Oran’s third successive league triumph and strengthens their position at the top of the table, at least provisionally.

The team, nicknamed the Hamraouas, continue to impress with their renewed energy and ambition as they chase a strong title challenge.

Elsewhere, the Algiers derby between CR Belouizdad and USM Alger ended in a goalless draw, offering plenty of effort but little end product.

Both sides created chances but lacked sharpness in front of goal.

In the opening half, Benbot produced two key saves to deny Naoufel Khacef, while Chaâl kept out Ghacha’s low, angled strike at the other end.

The intensity remained high after the restart, but the quality in the final third continued to falter.

USMA’s defense looked increasingly unsettled, and they might have conceded a penalty following a challenge on Benhamouda, though the referee waved play on.

Moments later, Benayada cleared a goal-bound effort off the line, and in the closing minutes, El Melali’s cross-shot nearly beat Benbot but drifted narrowly wide.

The 0-0 result leaves both Algiers clubs — who are also competing in the CAF Confederation Cup — in sixth and seventh place respectively, though each still has two matches in hand to make up ground on the leaders.

In other fixtures, USM Khenchela earned a narrow 1-0 win over ES Mostaganem thanks to a strike from Cameroonian forward Etouga, while ES Sétif were held 1-1 at home by Olympique Akbou, who remain in second place.

Action continues today as MC Alger, JS Saoura, and JS Kabylie aim to close the gap at the top.