Algerian football enthusiasts turn their attention to the 5th of July 1962 Stadium in the capital on Friday, where a significant “Capital Derby” awaits between USM Alger and MC Alger in the eleventh week of the local football league.
This derby holds a unique flavor for several reasons, notably the presence of coach Djamel Belmadi alongside some players from the Algerian national team.
Belmadi confirmed in an interview with Algerian television on Thursday his intention to travel to the 5th of July Stadium to witness this highly anticipated match.
He will take advantage of the occasion to observe the players who will participate in the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. This includes the likes of Youcef Belaili, the star of MC Alger.
“I will go to the stadium to watch the match between MC Alger and USM Alger.
It’s also an opportunity for me to follow some players who will be part of our choices in the African Cup.
We hope they confirm their eligibility. I also hope to see a sporting spirit prevail and witness a distinctive artistic level befitting the names of both teams,” Belmadi stated.
Belmadi is expected to attend the match at the stadium with some names from the first Algerian national team.
These players entered a camp this week at the Sidi Moussa center for national team preparations, ahead of the completion of the squad on the coming Saturday.
Following this, the team will head to Lome, the capital of Togo, for a closed preparatory camp from January 1 to January 10.
Mouloudia Algiers’ Youssef Belaili is one of the key players who will attract attention in this much-anticipated encounter, given his outstanding performance this season with his team.
Additionally, he has returned to the national team after being absent from Coach Djamel Belmadi’s squad since the March 2022 camp.
Osama Ben Bouteb, the goalkeeper for USM Alger, is also among the Algerian names expected to participate in the upcoming African Cup of Nations scheduled between January 13 and February 11.
The 5th of July 1962 Stadium is expected to be filled with fans of both teams, a scenario that has not happened in years.
The exceptional results achieved by MC Alger and their current top position in the local league, as well as the impressive performance of USM Alger on the African stage after winning the CAF Confederation Cup last season and the African Super Cup against Egypt’s Al Ahly, contribute to the high anticipation for this derby.
