Faouzi Chaouchi
Faouzi Chaouchi | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 5, 1984 Bordj Ménaïel, Boumerdès, Algeria |
| Occupation | Professional football goalkeeper |
| Known for | Key role in Algeria's qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup |
Faouzi Chaouchi (; born 5 December 1984) is an Algerian professional football goalkeeper currently playing for USM El Harrach.
Recognized as a national icon in Algeria, Chaouchi played a crucial role in the qualification play-off that ended Algeria's 24-year absence from the World Cup by overcoming their rivals Egypt. At the age of 23, he stepped in for the suspended Lounès Gaouaoui and delivered an exceptional performance, thwarting numerous Egyptian attempts during the decisive encounter held at Al Merreikh Stadium, Omdurman (Sudan). By 2010, he had become the highest-earning footballer in Algeria, with a salary near 13 million Algerian dinars.
Early life
Chaouchi was born in Bordj Ménaïel, located in the Boumerdès region. He is the son of Houria and Rachid Chaouchi, the latter having been a goalkeeper for JS Bordj Ménaïel. His father noticed Faouzi’s abilities early on during his local matches. Shortly thereafter, Faouzi requested his father’s approval to join the youth ranks of JS Bordj Ménaïel. Although his mother initially expressed concerns about prioritizing football over academics, she later recognized his significant potential in the sport.
JS Bordj Ménaïel
Chaouchi started his career at his local club, JS Bordj Ménaïel, where he captained the squad during the 2005/06 season. His impressive record of conceding merely seven goals across 32 matches drew attention from other teams.
JS Kabylie
In 2006, Chaouchi secured a three-year deal with top-flight club JS Kabylie, moving up from Inter-Régions side JS Bordj Ménaïel. He described this transfer as fulfilling a lifelong ambition and appreciated the friendly welcome from his new teammates.
Between 2006 and 2009, he achieved notable success including winning the Algerian Championnat National title in 2008, considered the highlight of his spell there. Additionally, he scored a remarkable penalty against Cotonsport Garoua during the CAF Champions League, which earned him the nickname “The Canary” among supporters.
Despite these accomplishments, Chaouchi encountered disciplinary challenges with club management after establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper in the 2007–08 season. Speculation linked him to clubs such as Lille OSC, ES Sétif, and MC Alger prior to his eventual exit.
ES Sétif
In June 2009, Chaouchi joined ES Sétif after the club acquired the goalkeeper who had earned recognition at JS Kabylie for his remarkable shot-stopping skills and distinctive character.
During December 2009, Chaouchi was instrumental in ES Sétif's triumph in the North African Cup of Champions, where they overcame ES Tunis via a penalty shootout. He received the accolade of the tournament’s top goalkeeper. On 1 May 2010, he contributed to ES Sétif’s 3–0 win over CA Batna in the Algerian Cup final, delivering the club its first Algerian Cup victory in two decades and seventh overall. The trophy was awarded by Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
In 2009, Chaouchi attracted interest from various European teams, including Olympique de Marseille. Following the Algerian Cup success in 2010, he confirmed in an interview that Marseille scouts planned to attend an Algeria versus Republic of Ireland friendly to further assess him. Additionally, he maintained communication with French side Le Mans FC and declined an offer from a Gulf region club, emphasizing his desire to join a competitive European outfit.
On 17 October 2010, Chaouchi was involved in a minor traffic accident in his hometown of Bordj Ménaïel; although his car was destroyed, he escaped without serious harm.
On 30 November 2010, the disciplinary committee of the Ligue National de football imposed a one-match suspension and a fine of 20,000 Algerian dinars on Chaouchi due to his protest against a penalty decision during a 3–3 draw with AS Khroub. Consequently, he missed the next fixture against MC Oran.
MC Alger
Chaouchi signed a one-year deal with MC Alger on 19 July 2011. In June 2012, he entered negotiations with Turkish Süper Lig newcomers Elazığspor and Kasımpaşa S.K., but no agreement was finalized.
International career
Chaouchi earned his initial call-up to the Algerian national team on 4 February 2008 following impressive displays at JS Kabylie. He made his debut on 26 March 2008 in a friendly against DR Congo, coming on as a halftime substitute for Lounès Gaouaoui.
On 18 November 2009, Chaouchi played a pivotal role in Algeria’s World Cup qualifying playoff versus Egypt, stepping in as starting goalkeeper due to Gaouaoui’s suspension. His exceptional performance contributed to Algeria’s 1–0 victory and qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Selected for the 2010 African Cup of Nations, Chaouchi became Algeria’s first-choice keeper after Gaouaoui withdrew because of appendicitis. However, his tournament ended prematurely when he was sent off during the semi-final against Egypt, resulting in a three-match ban and a $10,000 fine imposed by CAF.
At the 2010 World Cup, Chaouchi started Algeria’s opening game against Slovenia but was responsible for conceding the sole goal in their 1–0 loss. He was subsequently replaced by Rais M'Bohli for the remaining matches.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Algerian Cup | Africa | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| JS Bordj Ménaïel | 2003–04 | Ligue Inter-Régions | – | – | ||||||
| 2004–05 | – | – | ||||||||
| 2005–06 | 32 | 0 | – | – | 32 | 0 | ||||
| Total | ||||||||||
| JS Kabylie | 2006–07 | Championnat National | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| 2007–08 | 24 | 0 | 4 | 1 | - | |||||
| 2008–09 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||
| Total | 76 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 96 | 1 | ||
| ES Sétif | 2009–10 | Championnat National | 19 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | Ligue 1 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |||
| Total | 32 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 41 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 131 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
Honours
JS Kabylie
- Algerian Championnat National title: 2007–08 season
ES Sétif
- Second place in Algerian Championnat National: 2009–10
- North African Cup of Champions winner: 2009
- Algerian Cup champion: 2009–10
- North African Super Cup victor: 2010
- North African Cup Winners Cup champion: 2010