USM Alger
| Company type | Public (since 2010) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Football club |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Headquarters | Algiers , Algeria |
Area served | Algeria |
Key people | Halim Hammoudi (Secretary General of Groupe SERPORT, current majority owner) |
| Products | Football teams and related sports activities |
| Owner | Groupe SERPORT (since 2020) |
Union Sportive de la Médina d'Alger (), commonly referred to as USM Alger or simply USMA, is a football organization situated in the central suburbs of Algiers. Established in 1937, the team is identified by its red and black colors. Their home matches are held at Omar Hamadi Stadium, which accommodates up to 10,000 fans. USMA participates in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
USMA is regarded as a leading force within Algerian football, having secured the Ligue 1 championship on eight occasions, captured the Algerian Cup nine times, and won the Algerian Super Cup twice. On the international stage, the club claimed victory in the CAF Confederation Cup during the 2023 season, triumphed in the CAF Super Cup in 2023, and lifted the UAFA Club Championship trophy in 2013. The IFFHS placed USMA 18th among Africa’s top teams for the decade spanning 2001 to 2010. Additionally, USMA reached the final of the 2015 CAF Champions League, finishing as runners-up to TP Mazembe.
Tracing its origins back to Union Sportive Musulmane d'Alger, which won the first-ever 1962–63 Algerian Championnat National, USMA quickly became a benchmark in Algerian football after independence. By 1969, they had already secured a national league title and appeared in an Algerian Cup final. Following some difficult years, USMA underwent privatization in 2010 under investor Ali Haddad, resulting in financial consolidation and enhanced on-field results. Since this transition, they have consistently been contenders in Ligue 1, claiming the league crown again in 2014 and frequently qualifying for continental tournaments such as the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. Remarkably, during the 2013–14 campaign, USMA won three major trophies: the league title, Algerian Cup, and Super Cup.
Early years
In July 1935, merchants Omar Aichoud and Mustapha Kaoui established a sports association exclusively for Muslims, aligning with the burgeoning Algerian nationalist movement spearheaded by the Étoile Nord-Africaine and the nascent PPA. They collaborated closely with activists from Algiers’ Casbah neighborhood, recognizing that sports organizations could serve as critical platforms for rallying Algerian youth around nationalist causes.
With assistance from Arezki Meddad, they appointed Ali Lahmar (also known as Ali Zaid) and Sid Ahmed Kemmat to form USMA’s inaugural executive board. Ali Zaid took on the role of chairman while Omar Aichoud was named honorary president. The founders sought religious sanction from Sheikh Tayeb El Okbi of the Islamic Reform Movement, who ultimately endorsed USMA despite initial reservations regarding whether sports activities aligned with Islamic values. To gain official status, they secured formal statutes through MC Alger’s Secretary General.
Inspired by USMA’s example, other Muslim sports clubs such as Espérance Sportives Musulmane and Jeunesse Sportive Musulmane emerged as centers of nationalist sentiment. Preparing to compete in the third division championship of 1938, USMA encountered regulatory obstacles including player licensing restrictions and stadium requirements. Sid Ahmed Kemmat successfully negotiated a five-year lease for a stadium at Pointe Pescade (present-day Raïs Hamidou), agreeing to an annual rent of 5,000 francs funded through discreet means.
During World War II, league structures were reorganized into three groups. Prominent players like Abderrahman Ibrir joined USMA as it competed in the first division during the 1939–40 season but struggled against more established clubs such as RU Alger and AS Saint Eugène, ultimately finishing near the bottom of the standings. The team was also eliminated early from both the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de la Solidarité tournaments.
Competitive play resumed officially in 1942–43 with USMA relegated to third division due to regulatory decisions. Sid Ahmed Kemmat later reflected on the systemic challenges Muslim clubs faced under colonial governance, highlighting how difficult it was for them to receive equitable treatment during that period.
After Independence
Upon gaining independence, USM Alger appointed Abdelaziz Ben Tifour, a former player of Nice and Monaco, as player-coach. Competing in Group 5 of the 1962–63 Algerian Championnat National, the team finished at the top with 51 points and led the league offensively by scoring 75 goals. In the Algiers League that same season, USM Alger also secured first place, advancing to the semi-finals where they faced Hamra Annaba and progressed by winning a corners count of 7–6. The club went on to defeat MC Alger 3–0 in the final held at Stade d'El Annasser, thus becoming the inaugural champions of independent Algeria.
During the 1962–63 Algerian Cup, USM Alger reached the semi-finals but were defeated 2–4 by ES Setif. The subsequent season saw them finish third in the Algérois group, narrowly trailing champions NA Hussein Dey. They again reached the Cup semi-finals but were once more eliminated by ES Setif. In the 1964–65 season, USM Alger was relegated to the second division after finishing last with 54 points and suffered an early Cup exit following a 2–3 loss to NA Hussein Dey.
In their debut season in Division Honneur, USM Alger secured second place behind MC Alger, earning promotion to Nationale II for the 1966–67 campaign. However, they were unable to return to the top tier that season, finishing fifth. The team made another Cup semi-final appearance but lost yet again to ES Setif, marking their third elimination at that stage by this opponent. Despite continued efforts in subsequent seasons, promotion eluded them until 1968–69 when USM Alger finished second behind champions JS Kabylie and earned promotion back to Nationale I after four years in lower divisions. That same year, they reached their first Cup final but were defeated 3–5 by CR Belouizdad after a replay.
After appearing in seven finals without success, USM Alger claimed their first Algerian Cup title in the 1980–81 season by beating ASM Oran 2–1 under coach Ali Benfadah. This achievement made them the first second-division team to win the Cup. The following year, they contested the inaugural Algerian Super Cup against reigning league champions RC Kouba but lost 1–2 at the 20 August 1955 Stadium. In that season’s league campaign, USM Alger finished ninth with 59 points. Their debut in continental competition came during the 1982 African Cup Winners' Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated on aggregate 2–3 by Ghana’s Accra Hearts of Oak.
Saïd Allik Era (1994–2010)
In 1994, Saïd Allik assumed the role of chairman at USM Alger, pledging to restore the club to Division 1 status. After five seasons spent in the second division under coach Younis Ifticen, USM Alger achieved promotion on May 26, 1995. Following this success, Allik affirmed that the club would maintain its position in the top flight. Despite reaching promotion objectives, Ifticen departed during the 1995–96 season and was succeeded by Ahmed Aït El Hocine. After disturbances during an Algiers Derby at Omar Hamadi Stadium, authorities decided that future derbies would be held without spectators.
USM Alger secured the league championship following a close contest with MC Oran, clinching the title over CS Constantine by a two-point margin in the final round.
The 2002–03 season represented a landmark period for USM Alger as they competed across five different competitions. Although eliminated during the group phase of the Arab Unified Club Championship, they advanced to the semi-finals of the African Cup Winners' Cup but narrowly lost to Wydad Casablanca despite a strong home performance. Domestically, USM Alger faced tough competition from clubs such as USM Blida, NA Hussein Dey, and JS Kabylie but ultimately claimed the league title in round 28 after defeating ASM Oran. The campaign concluded with an Algerian Cup triumph over CR Belouizdad, securing the club’s first-ever league and cup double under coach Azzedine Aït Djoudi. Moncef Ouichaoui emerged as top scorer with 18 goals and became the first USM Alger player to record two hat-tricks during a single season.
Haddad Era Ownership (2010–2020)
In 2010, the Ligue de Football Professionnel in conjunction with the Algerian Football Federation initiated the professionalization of the Algerian football championship starting with the 2010–11 season. This reform converted all semi-professional teams into fully professional clubs, aiming to enhance management efficiency and competitiveness, particularly within African football markets. On August 4, 2010, coinciding with this professionalization, USM Alger became a publicly traded entity. Algerian entrepreneur Ali Haddad secured an 83% ownership by investing 700 million Algerian dinars, positioning USM Alger as the nation's first entirely professional football club. Subsequently, on October 27, 2010, Haddad replaced Saïd Allik as club president; Allik had held the position for 18 years.
On June 2, 2019, the Haddad family declared their intention to sell their 92% stake in SSPA USMA following Ali Haddad’s incarceration and the freezing of club assets. In response, a committee was established to manage the club’s difficulties. By September 4, 2019, USM Alger players launched a strike due to unpaid wages—reports indicated six months owed to existing players and no payments made to recent signings—highlighting persistent financial distress unrelated to club management or fan involvement.
New Ownership under Groupe SERPORT (2020–Present)
The shareholders’ general assembly was rescheduled from March 12 to March 2, 2020, after the detention of former club president Rabouh Haddad. During this session, Groupe SERPORT acquired a controlling share of 94.34% previously owned by ETRHB Haddad. Halim Hammoudi, Secretary General of SERPORT, unveiled plans for the Aïn Benian development project and new club headquarters, with ambitions extending beyond domestic achievements toward continental triumphs. Achour Djelloul, serving as SERPORT’s general manager at the time, pledged an annual investment ranging between 1.2 and 1.3 billion dinars, including a training center project valued at approximately 1.4 billion dinars.
On May 13, 2020, Achour Djelloul appointed Antar Yahia as sporting director on a three-year contract and Abdelghani Haddi as general manager. Yahia rejected opportunities in France to join USM Alger in alignment with Djelloul’s strategic objectives. On January 31, 2021, a partnership agreement was formalized between the société sportive par actions (SSPA) and club sportif amateur (CSA), ensuring adherence to Algerian regulations; under this accord, the amateur section receives an annual payment of 30 million dinars for branding rights.
With four matches remaining in the season, SERPORT dismissed Yahia due to revoked responsibilities and disciplinary concerns, as clarified by Djelloul. On September 1, 2021, former player Hocine Achiou was named sporting director.
Under Abdelhak Benchikha’s management, USM Alger secured their inaugural international trophy by winning the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup—despite losing the second leg of the final at home against Young Africans. Following this milestone victory, Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche retired after an eighteen-year tenure at USM Alger, holding a club record with 405 appearances.
Colours and Badge
At its establishment in 1937, USMA’s traditional colors were red and burgundy. However, in May 1945—after the Setif, Guelma, and Kherrata massacres—the club replaced garnet with black as a tribute to the approximately 45,000 Algerian demonstrators who lost their lives under French repression. The black color symbolizes mourning while red represents the bloodshed of victims; together these colors embody USMA’s patriotic dedication.
Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer
Since the 1977 sports reform, Sonelgaz has been the primary sponsor of USM Alger, with its emblem prominently displayed on the team's jerseys and previously incorporated into the club's badge. From 2005 until April 2019, telecommunications firm Djezzy served as a sponsor, having renewed a contract in 2017 valued at 100 million dinars annually before the partnership concluded.
The construction company ETRHB, owned by majority shareholder Ali Haddad, has backed the club since 2010. Earlier sponsors have included Canon, Dekorex, ARTC Insurance, Sonatrach, and Renault Trucks.
From July 2012 through December 2016, German sportswear brand Adidas provided the team's kits. This was followed by Spanish manufacturer Joma, which supplied apparel starting January 2017 for a duration of three and a half years. In April 2019, USM Alger inaugurated its first official retail outlet in El Biar, retailing Joma kits and club merchandise at accessible prices.
On September 8, 2020, USMA secured a three-year agreement with Italian brand Kappa, marking the club as the first Algerian team to collaborate with this authentic label.
Historical kits
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1970–1978 | Le Coq Sportif | — |
| 1978–1994 | Sonelgaz | |
| 1994–1995 | Uhlsport | |
| 1995–1997 | Kappa | |
| 1997–1998 | Virma | |
| 1998–1999 | Uhlsport | |
| 1999–2001 | Puma SE | |
| 2001–2005 | Uhlsport | |
| 2005–2008 | Lotto | Djezzy |
| 2008–2011 | Uhlsport | |
| 2011–2012 | Nike | ETRHB Haddad |
| 2012–2016 | Adidas | ETRHB Haddad |
| 2017–2020 | Joma | ETRHB Haddad |
| 2019– | Groupe SERPORT | Joma (2017–2020) |
| 2020–2023 | Kappa | |
| 2023– | Macron |
Stadiums
USM Alger played their home matches at the Omar Hamadi Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 10,000 and was established in 1935, until its closure in 2022. Since then, the club has been hosting both domestic and international fixtures at the Stade du 5 Juillet. Additionally, the team has occasionally utilized venues such as the 20 August 1955 Stadium, Salem Mabrouki Stadium, Omar Benrabah Stadium, and Nelson Mandela Stadium for certain matches.
Following the shutdown of Omar Hamadi Stadium in 2022, Stade du 5 Juillet has become the exclusive location for all home games across competitions.
Training facilities
In July 2011, USM Alger initiated the development of a training complex located in Aïn Bénian, Algiers, covering an area of four hectares with both natural grass and synthetic turf pitches. The facility’s design drew inspiration from FC Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. On March 15, 2021, construction began on a new site measuring approximately 30,000 square meters to accommodate the club’s headquarters, two indoor courts, two locker rooms, and outdoor artificial turf fields. This project is being overseen by EPE Batimetal.
Fan base
The supporters of USM Alger, commonly referred to as Almsamaah, are widely recognized throughout Algeria for their fervent and imaginative backing of the team. Originating primarily from the capital city, their presence extends across the country and into neighboring regions. The Soutara neighborhood acts as a central hub for this passionate fan community, whose reach spans from Bab El-Oued to Kabylie.
Since its establishment in 1937, USM Alger has cultivated three generations of dedicated followers who have played a crucial role in establishing the club as Algeria’s first champion after independence and one of its most triumphant squads. Fans often identify themselves as Melanesians or Rossoneri, drawing comparisons to the flair and enthusiasm associated with supporters of A.C. Milan.
USM Alger is distinguished by having some of Algeria’s most loyal fans, celebrated for their chants, sportsmanship, and dynamic stadium displays. A landmark moment occurred on November 26, 2011, during an Algiers derby against MC Alger held at Stade du 5 Juillet when USM Alger supporters unveiled Algeria’s inaugural large-scale tifo featuring the word UNITED rendered in the club’s traditional red and black colors.
Notable cultural icons such as chaâbi music masters El Hadj M'Hamed El Anka and El Hachemi Guerouabi have been enthusiastic supporters who frequently attended matches and dedicated songs to USM Alger. Politically, Ahmed Ben Bella—the nation’s first president and former player—served as an honorary president of the club until his passing in 2012 and maintained a lifelong connection with USM Alger.
Ouled EL Bahdja
Ouled EL Bahdja stands out as a leading Algerian football fan organization established in the 1990s, recognized by its iconic red and black hues reminiscent of Milan's colors. This group transformed the ambiance within stadiums through their energetic chants and elaborate tifos, earning acclaim not only throughout Algeria but also in neighboring nations such as Tunisia and Morocco. Their musical contributions continue to resonate, particularly during periods of club renaming, underscoring their influential presence in the regional football scene.
Accidents
On July 5, 1997, amid the Algerian Civil War, three supporters of USMA lost their lives while celebrating an Algerian Cup triumph in Frais Vallon.
A tragic event occurred on September 21, 2013, following a match against MC Alger at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 when part of the stadium structure collapsed. This incident caused two fatalities among USM Alger fans and left hundreds injured. The catastrophe prompted plans for stadium refurbishment, temporary closure for investigation purposes, and the dismissal of Youcef Kara, the facility’s director. USM Alger representatives, including Rabouh Haddad, publicly conveyed their sympathies.
On September 9, 2018, during an Arab Club Champions Cup fixture between USM Alger and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya at Omar Hamadi Stadium, Iraqi players exited the field protesting offensive chants targeting Saddam Hussein and containing anti-Shia remarks from supporters. This episode triggered diplomatic friction, with Iraq’s foreign ministry summoning Algeria's ambassador. Subsequently, USM Alger’s general manager Abdelhakim Serrar and captain Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche issued formal apologies to the Iraqi delegation.
MC Alger
The most intense rivalry for USM Alger is with Mouloudia Algiers, both clubs hailing from Algiers. This rivalry forms the core of the Algiers derby and traces back to the 1950s, rooted in political conflicts during the Algerian War. In 1956, the FLN urged Muslim clubs to boycott sports. Unlike USM Alger and others who complied, Mouloudia continued competing, which led to violent confrontations causing match disruptions and the resignation of MCA president Mohamed Tiar, who subsequently aligned the club with FLN policies.
CR Belouizdad
The local derby between USM Alger and CR Belouizdad represents a major rivalry within Algiers. Originating in the 1960s, this competition diminished over twenty years but experienced a strong resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, marking a period of heightened rivalry for both teams.
JS Kabylie
Known as the clasico kabylo-algérois, clashes between USM Alger and JS Kabylie—two of Algeria’s leading clubs from Algiers and Tizi Ouzou—have drawn significant attention. Their rivalry intensified between 1996 and 2010 under the leadership of Saïd Allik and Mohand Chérif Hannachi. A notable event was Allik’s acquisition of JS Kabylie’s star player Mahieddine Meftah. Throughout this era, both clubs frequently secured top league positions, including finishing as champions or runners-up in three consecutive seasons from 2003–04 through 2005–06.
Rivalries in Africa
USM Alger has developed significant rivalries with prominent North African clubs, especially Morocco's Wydad Casablanca and Tunisia's Espérance Sportive de Tunis. The team has clashed with Wydad on eight occasions, including critical matches such as the 1999 CAF Cup quarter-finals, where USMA progressed after a 2–2 aggregate draw, and the 2002 African Cup Winners' Cup semi-finals, which they lost on aggregate. In 2017, Wydad once again ousted USMA from the CAF Champions League with a 3–1 aggregate score. Regarding Espérance, USMA faced them four times during the 2003 and 2004 CAF Champions League group stages; Espérance secured victories in three of these games, while USMA achieved a notable 3–0 win in one encounter. Despite the competitive nature on the field, both clubs share a strong bond at the administrative level and among their supporters.
Achievements
USM Alger has claimed eight titles in the Algerian top-flight league, positioning them second only to JS Kabylie, who have won fourteen championships. Their inaugural league triumph dates back to 1963, prior to the professionalization of football in Algeria. The club also shares the record for most Algerian Cup victories, with nine titles equal to ES Sétif. Additionally, USMA accomplished a domestic double by winning both the league and cup in 2003.
Domestic
| Algerian competitions | Championships | Runner-up finishes |
|---|---|---|
| Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 (8) | 1962–63, 1995–96, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2018–19 | 1997–98, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2005–06 |
| Algerian Cup (9) | 1980–81, 1987–88, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2012–13, 2024–25 | 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2006–07 |
| Algerian Super Cup (2) | 2013, 2016 | 1981, 2014, 2019 |
Confederation
| African tournaments | Championships | Second place finishes |
|---|---|---|
| CAF Champions League | 2015 | |
| CAF Confederation Cup (1) | 2022–23 | |
| CAF Super Cup (1) | 2023 |
Regional
| Arab competitions | Championships | Second place finishes |
|---|---|---|
| UAFA Club Cup (1) | 2012–13 | |
| Maghreb Cup Winners Cup | 1970 |
Doubles and Trebles
Performance in CAF competitions
USM Alger has been a frequent participant in Confederation of African Football (CAF) events, earning qualification mainly through success in domestic leagues and cups. The club has regularly competed in the CAF Champions League, gaining entry by winning the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 or through the Algerian Cup. Additionally, it has taken part in the former African Cup Winners' Cup and the CAF Cup.
The team’s inaugural international fixture resulted in a 2–0 victory over CARA Brazzaville. Their most decisive win came with an 8–1 triumph against ASFA Yennenga in 2004. Conversely, their most substantial defeats were suffered against Primeiro de Agosto in 1998 and US Bitam in 2013.
USM Alger made its continental debut in the African Cup Winners' Cup during 1982, advancing to the quarter-finals. Following a period away from international competition, they returned in 1997 and narrowly missed reaching the final after facing Raja Casablanca. The club maintained regular appearances in CAF tournaments until a one-year suspension in 2001 due to fielding an unqualified player.
In the 2003 CAF Champions League, USM Alger reached the semi-final stage but were eliminated by eventual champions Enyimba. After an eight-year absence from this competition, they reached the final in 2015 but lost to TP Mazembe.
Later campaigns included a semi-final berth in 2017, a quarter-final exit during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup, and failing to progress beyond the group phase in 2019.
In 2023, USM Alger achieved its first continental triumph by winning the CAF Confederation Cup, overcoming Moroccan team ASFAR Rabat and Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas en route to defeating Tanzania's Young Africans in the final. Subsequently, they secured their second continental honor by capturing the CAF Super Cup against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, marking a historic achievement for the Algerian club.
Today, USM Alger is regarded as one of Africa’s foremost football clubs.
Players
Algerian clubs are permitted to register up to four foreign players. The roster displays only the primary nationality of each individual;
Current squad
As of 11 November 2025[update]
Current technical staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Abdelhak Benchikha |
| Assistant coach | Arezki Remmane |
| Goalkeeper coach | Lies Benhaha |
| Conditioning coach | Modjahed Belaid |
Management
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Boubekeur Abid |
| General Director | |
| Sporting Director | Saïd Allik |
| General Secretary | Sid Ali Yahiaoui |
| Financial Director |
Distinguished players
These individuals have earned senior international appearances for their respective countries. Names in bold denote players who represented their national teams during their tenure at USM Alger.
- Kamel Tchalabi
- Ayoub Abdellaoui
- Merouane Abdouni
- Hocine Achiou
- Tarek Hadj Adlane
- Rachid Aftouche
- Mouldi Aïssaoui
- Saïd Allik
- Djamel Amani
- Amar Ammour
- Salim Aribi
- Ali Attoui
- Youcef Belaïli
- Boubekeur Belbekri
- Farid Belmellat
- Raouf Benguit
- Fawzi Benkhalidi
- Mohammed Benkhemassa
- Mokhtar Benmoussa
- Yacine Bentalaa
- Abdelaziz Bentifour
- Hamid Bernaoui
- Omar Betrouni
- Mohamed Boualem
- Brahim Boudebouda
- Isâad Bourahli
- Salim Boutamine
- Mehdi Cerbah
- Farouk Chafaï
- Noureddine Daham
- Oussama Darfalou
- Rabah Deghmani
- Abderrahmane Derouaz
- Farid Djahnine
- Billel Dziri
- Djamel El Okbi
- Bouazza Feham
- Zinedine Ferhat
- Karim Ghazi
- Tarek Ghoul
- Nacer Guedioura
- Abderrahmane Meziane
- Abderrahmane Meziani
- Moulay Haddou
- Fayçal Hamdani
- Mohamed Hamdoud
- Djamel Keddou
- Nacereddine Khoualed
- Hamza Koudri
- Abdelkader Laïfaoui
- Khaled Lemmouchia
- Mahieddine Meftah
- Djamel Menad
- Hocine Metref
- Hichem Mezaïr
- Amokrane Oualiken
- Moncef Ouichaoui
- Azzedine Rahim
- Krimo Rebih
- Smaïl Slimani
- Saad Tedjar
- Hamza Yacef
- Mounir Zeghdoud (Algeria)
- [Lamine Zemmamouche] (Algeria)
- [Djamel Zidane] (Algeria)
- [Mohamed Rabie Meftah] (Algeria)
- [Mohamed Benyahia] (Algeria)
- [Daniel Moncharé] (Cameroon)
- [Freddy Zemmour] (France)
- [Mamadou Diallo] (Mali)
- [Mintou Doucoure] (Mali)
- [Carolus Andriamatsinoro] (Madagascar)
- [Abdoulaye Maïga] (Mali)
- [Michael Eneramo] (Nigeria)
- [Nacer Zekri] (Algeria)
- [Muaid Ellafi] (Libya)
- Footnotes
*Note 1: Participant in the 1968 African Cup of Nations. *Note 2: Competed in the 1980 African Cup of Nations. *Note 3: Played in the 1980 Summer Olympics. *Note 4: Took part in the 1996 African Cup of Nations. *Note 5: Appeared at the 1998 African Cup of Nations. *Note 6: Competed in the 2000 African Cup of Nations. *Note 7: Participant in the 2002 African Cup of Nations. *Note 8: Played at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. *Note 9: Competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. *Note 10: Took part in the 2011 African Nations Championship. *Note 11: Participant in the 2013 African Cup of Nations. *Note 12: Played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. *Note 13: Competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics. *Note 14: Appeared at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. *Note 15: Participated in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Records and statistics
Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche holds the record for the most appearances with the club, having played 400 matches through the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, which includes 294 league games. Following him is Nacereddine Khoualed with 286 matches, while Karim Ghazi occupies third place with 241 appearances. On the continental stage, Hocine Achiou leads with a total of 38 matches, including 29 in the CAF Champions League. The foreign player with the most caps is Malagasy Carolus Andriamatsinoro, who featured in 132 matches over five seasons. Post-independence, Frenchman Freddy Zemmour spent six seasons with the club and is believed to have played over 200 unofficial games. Mahieddine Meftah holds the distinction of being USM Alger's most internationally capped player.
In terms of goal-scoring since the 1995–96 season, Billel Dziri tops the list with 74 goals in all competitions, comprising 51 league goals and 16 scored in continental tournaments. The leading scorer in the Algerian Cup is Tarek Hadj Adlane, who netted 11 goals. Moncef Ouichaoui secured the league’s top scorer title during the 2002–03 season by scoring 18 goals. Additionally, Malian striker Mamadou Diallo was the highest scorer in the CAF Champions League in 2004, tallying 10 goals.
USM Alger boasts a record 17 appearances in the Algerian Cup final, including an impressive streak of five consecutive finals. Their inaugural cup triumph occurred in 1981 while competing in the second division, marking them as the first Algerian team to win the cup from that tier. The club also achieved consecutive cup victories in 2003 and 2004, sharing a total of eight Algerian Cup titles alongside ES Setif, MC Alger, and CR Belouizdad. Their most dominant competitive win was a staggering 13–0 against SO Berrouaghia during the 1962 Critériums d'Honneur; their largest league victory was an 11–0 result against ASM Oran in the 1975–76 season. Conversely, their worst league defeat came as a 1–7 loss to JS Kabylie in 1989.
Domestically, USM Alger ranks as the second most successful club with eight league championships and has completed a domestic double once, in 2003. Notably, during the 2012–13 campaign, every starting player across their 48 matches was a full international—a club record. USMA also became only the second Algerian team to reach the CAF Champions League final in 2015, finishing as runners-up to TP Mazembe.
In managerial achievements, Noureddine Saâdi holds the record for most matches managed at USMA with 133 games and secured two titles during his tenure. Meanwhile, Rolland Courbis made history as the first foreign coach to claim a title for USM Alger by winning the Algerian Cup in 2013.
The highest transfer fee received by USM Alger was €700,000 for Mamadou Diallo’s transfer to FC Nantes in 2004. On the other hand, their largest expenditure on a player was €400,000 paid for Kaddour Beldjilali from Étoile du Sahel in 2014.
Recent seasons
A summary of USM Alger’s performance over recent years is presented below:
| Season | League | Cup | Other | Africa | Top goalscorer(s)Template:Ref label | Ref. | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pos | Pts | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Name | Goals | |||||||
| 2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 8th | 41 | 30 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 35 | 27 | R16 | RU | Champions League | RU[note 1] | Youcef Belaïli | 8 | ||
| 2015–16 | Ligue 1 | 1st | 58 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 49 | 31 | R64 | Mohamed Seguer | 12 | |||||
| 2016–17 | Ligue 1 | 3rd | 50 | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 50 | 31 | R16 | W | Champions League | SF[note 1] | Mohamed Rabie Meftah | 11 | ||
| 2017–18 | Ligue 1 | 6th | 42 | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 43 | 35 | R16 |
Confederation Cup |
QF[note 1] | Oussama Darfalou | 26 | |||
| 2018–19 | Ligue 1 | 1st | 53 | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 49 | 29 | R16 | Arab Club Champions Cup | R2 | Prince Ibara | 10 | |||
| 2019–20 | Ligue 1[note 2] | 6th[note 3] | 32 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 22 | R32 | Champions League | Grp | Aymen Mahious | 12 | |||
| 2020–21 | Ligue 1 | 4th | 65 | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 62 | 39 | NP | RU | Ismail Belkacemi | 17 | ||||
| SF | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | Ligue 1 | 4th | 57 | 34 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 45 | 22 | NP | Aymen Mahious, Ismail Belkacemi | 8 | |||||
| 2022–23 | Ligue 1 | 11th | 40 | 30 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 31 | 27 | R64 |
Confederation Cup |
'W' | Aymen Mahious | 11 | |||
| 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 4th | 49 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 40 | 32 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=#cc9966 'SF' |
Confederation Cup |
bgcolor=#cc9966 'SF' | rowspan="2" align=left bgcolor=gold Ismail Belkacemi] | '17' | |||
CAF Super Cup |
bgcolor=gold 'W' | ||||||||||||||||
In African Competitions
| CAF Tournaments | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament | Seasons Participated | Matches Played | Victories | Draws | Defeats | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Most Recent Season |
| Champions League | 9 | 80 | 37 | 19 | 24 | 132 | 82 | 2019–20 |
| CAF Cup Winners' Cup (no longer active) | 5 | 25 | 13 | 4 | 8 | 40 | 25 | 2002 |
| CAF Confederation Cup | 7 | 42 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 49 | 31 | 2025–26 |
| CAF Cup (discontinued) | 1 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 1999 |
| CAF Super Cup | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2023 |
| Aggregate | 23 | 169 | 76 | 40 | 45 | 240 | 150 | |
Competitions Outside CAF
%}| Non-CAF Tournaments | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament Name | Seasons Entered | Matches Contested | Wins Achieved | Matches Drawn | Losses Recorded | Goals For Scored | Goals Against Conceded | Latest Season Participated |
| Arab Champions League | 5 | 29 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 46 | 34 | 2018–19 |
| Maghreb Cup Winners Cup | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1970 |
| Overall Total | 7 | 33 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 49 | 38 | |
Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "note", but no corresponding <references group="note"/> tag was found