MC El Eulma
| Company type | Football club |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Founder | Bahlouli Brahim and others |
| Headquarters | El Eulma , Algeria |
Area served | Algeria |
| Products | Football team |
Mouloudia Chabab El Eulma (), commonly referred to as MC El Eulma or MCEE, is a football club located in El Eulma, Algeria. Established in 1936, the team’s official colors are green and red. Their home matches take place at Messaoud Zeghar Stadium, which has a seating capacity near 25,000. Presently, MC El Eulma competes in the Inter-Régions Division.
Formation and Colonial Period
The club was created by Muslim inhabitants of El Eulma aiming to embody Algerian nationalist ideals through sport. Early founders included Bahlouli Brahim, who served as the inaugural president, alongside other founding members who also played actively.
In 1942, nationalist activists established Olympic Muslim Saint-Arnaud (WOAH), adopting green and red to signify the future national flag. By 1948, opposition figures initiated a third team called Widad de Saint-Arnaud (WSA).
During the early 1950s, efforts to consolidate nationalist football led to the fusion of WOAH and WSA into Mouloudia Club of St. Arnaud (MCSA). This merger aimed to pool resources, preserve first-division status, and align with political movements. A managing committee oversaw the club’s operations, balancing political considerations; notable players included MEKIDECHE.L and LOUCIF.L, coached by ANANI Abdeslem.
Alongside MCSA, the Union of St. Arnaud (USA) emerged as a competitive rival and succeeded in reclaiming first-division placement with players such as the Bouanane brothers and HADJ-SAHRAOUI Messaoud.
The imposition of colonial martial law in 1954 halted sporting events amid widespread unrest; numerous MCSA players and officials were compelled to emigrate due to political pressures.
By 1959, youth groups initiated Etoile Filante de Saint-Arnaud (EFSA), which primarily played friendly matches against colonial military teams. In 1960, with FLN endorsement, the Rapid Club of St. Arnaud (RCSA) was founded, featuring skilled athletes like BELHADJ L. and MEKIDECHE L., competing at the Wilaya level against regional opponents such as Entente Setif.
Despite achieving top scorer status in Algeria’s Ligue Professionnelle 1, MC El Eulma encountered relegation challenges that underscored the competitive dynamics within the national football landscape.
Honours
- Algerian Championnat National 2
- Winners (1): 2008
Managers
- Rachid Belhout (2008–09)
- Jacques Castellan (July 1, 2009 – Feb 20, 2010)
- Hakim Malek (July 1, 2010 – Dec 14, 2010)
- Madjid Taleb (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012)
- Lamine Boughrara (April 17, 2012 – June 30, 2012)
- Abdelkader Yaïche (June 28, 2012 – Nov 6, 2012)
- Rachid Belhout (Oct 3, 2012 – Feb 24, 2013)
- Raoul Savoy (Feb 26, 2013 – June 30, 2013)
- Abdelkader Yaïche (July 1, 2013 – Dec 11, 2013)
- Hans Agbo (interim) (Dec 12, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013)
- Jules Accorsi (Jan 1, 2014–)
Rival clubs
- ES Setif (Derby)
- CA Bordj Bou Arreridj (Rivalry)
- MO Béjaïa (Rivalry)