Djamel Menad
Djamel Menad | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date El Bayadh, Algeria |
| Died | March 22, 2025 (aged 64) |
| Occupation(s) | Professional footballer, football coach |
| Years active | 1977–1996 (player), 2005–2020 (coach) |
| Known for | Forward for Algeria national team; top scorer at 1990 Africa Cup of Nations; coaching USM El Harrach |
Djamel Menad (; born 22 July 1960 – died 22 March 2025) was a professional footballer from Algeria who operated mainly as a forward.
Club career
Originating from El Bayadh, Menad launched his football journey with CR Belouizdad before transferring to JS Kabylie. In 1987, he moved to the French side Nîmes, where he featured in nearly 100 official fixtures across three seasons in Ligue 2. During the 1989–90 campaign, he achieved his highest goal tally, netting 12 goals in 27 appearances; however, Nîmes finished third and failed to secure promotion.
Following this, he spent three years competing in Portugal’s Primeira Liga with Famalicão and Belenenses. At the age of 33, Menad returned to Algeria and wrapped up his playing days after spells at Kabylie—where he won the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1995—and later with USM Alger.
Menad transitioned into coaching in 2005, starting with the last team he played for. His tenure at JSM Bejaia ended on 14 May 2011 when he was relieved of his managerial duties.
International career
Menad accumulated 81 appearances for Algeria beginning in 1982. He participated in the football tournament at the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow, contributing to Algeria’s advancement to the quarterfinal stage.
Selected for the squad at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Menad took part in group matches against Brazil and Spain. He finished third in the voting for the 1986 African Footballer of the Year accolade.
During the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, Menad played a key role in Algeria’s triumph, finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals.
Doping mystery
In 2011, Menad along with former teammates called for an inquiry into whether their children’s disabilities were connected to medications administered by Algeria’s Soviet-era coach Evgeni Rogov during their playing careers.
Managerial career
In October 2020, Menad was named head coach of USM El Harrach.
Death
Menad died on 22 March 2025 at the age of 64.
Honours
CR Belouizdad
- Algerian Cup: 1977–78
JS Kabylie
- African Cup of champions clubs: 1981
- African Super Cup: 1982
- African Cup Winners' Cup: 1995
- Algerian League championships: 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1994–95
- Algerian Cup: 1985–86
Algeria
- Africa Cup of Nations title: 1990
Individual
- Top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations: 1990
- Included in the Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 1984, 1990