Ali Benfadah
Ali Benfadah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Algeria |
| Died | December 2, 1993 (aged 58) |
| Occupation(s) | Football player, coach |
| Years active | 1947–1983 |
| Known for | Football forward and coach, represented Algeria internationally |
Ali Benfadah (10 January 1935 – 2 December 1993) was an Algerian football forward and coach who also represented his country at the international level.
Life and career
Benfadah was born in 1935 and initiated his football journey with the Federal School team affiliated with USM Alger, where he played as an offensive midfielder from 1947 until 1952. Following Algeria’s independence, he continued his playing career with clubs such as Espérance de Belcourt, JS El Biar, and USM Alger, finishing his time on the field at USM El Harrach before embarking on a coaching path. He passed away on 30 December 1984 during a fixture between USM El Harrach and USM Bel Abbès, succumbing to a heart attack at Mustapha Pacha University Hospital.
Benfadah’s coaching career began at USM Alger during the 1958/59 season. He then took charge of JS El Biar and CR Belouizdad in 1960/61, guiding CR Belouizdad to their inaugural promotion to the top flight—a significant milestone in his managerial career. His subsequent appointments included managing MC Alger (1962/63), USM El Harrach (1963/64), MO Constantine, and USM Blida, where he successfully secured promotion to the first division. His expertise extended to coaching ASM Oran, MC Saïda, NA Hussein Dey, Rouïba, El Karma, and NR Boussaâda.
During the 1955/56 period, Benfadah returned to manage MC Alger and CR Belouizdad again, achieving another ascent to the premier division. Back at USM El Harrach, he earned a third promotion, solidifying his reputation for elevating clubs. Later, he led RC Kouba with commendable outcomes before once more resuming duties at USM El Harrach.
1965: Tactical adjustments influenced by conditions
In the 1965 season, Benfadah successfully promoted El Biar to the top league. The following year, 1965/66, he simultaneously managed El Biar and MC Alger. He revisited El Biar in 1969/70 before coaching USM Boufarik in 1970/71 and Rapid Relizane in the subsequent season. Despite challenges in maintaining their first-division status, his guidance ensured the team’s survival at that level.
Benfadah also worked with second-tier squads such as US Sougueur in 1972/73, where he delivered impressive performances. In the 1973/74 season, he led US Biskra to a crucial promotion. Further managerial roles included appointments at JSM Skikda (1977/78), Oued Rhiou (1979/80), and Nadit El Kouba (1981/82), each culminating in elevation to the first division. His final coaching tenure was with USM El Harrach during the 1982/83 season when he died amid an official match.
Club
- Ligue Nationale du Football Amateur title (1): 1967–68
- Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 championship (1): 1968–69
- Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 winner (1): 1971–72
- Algerian Cup victor (1): 1970–71
- Maghreb Cup Winners Cup champion (1): 1972
- Algerian Cup winner (1): 1980–81
- Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 title (1): 1980–81