ASO Chlef dealt another blow to an out-of-form USM Alger side with a 2-1 victory at the July 5 Stadium on Wednesday, deepening the crisis at one of Algeria’s most storied clubs.
In a rescheduled fixture from Matchday 21 of the Ligue 1 Mobilis season, the visitors capitalised on a weakened USMA lineup, missing seven first-team players through injury, suspension, and international duty.
Led by interim coach Sofiane Benkhelifa following the departure of Brazilian manager Marcos Paquetá, the capital club never fully recovered from a disastrous start.
ASO struck within three minutes of kickoff. A well-timed pass from Togolese midfielder Agbagno found Liberian forward Edward Lidlum, who clinically dispatched the ball into the corner of the net beyond USMA goalkeeper Oussama Soufi.
The early strike highlighted the defensive disarray of a USMA backline missing its entire core — with Benbot, Chetti, and Azzi away on international duty, and Lamara, Mondeko, Loucif, and Alilet all unavailable through injury or suspension.
Despite sparse attendance in the stands, USMA attempted to rally.
However, their efforts were repeatedly thwarted by a well-organised Chlef defence, marshalled confidently by goalkeeper Kacem and his backline.
The second half offered little respite for the hosts.
Just three minutes after the restart, ASO Chlef were awarded a penalty after referee Oukil pointed to the spot.
Yet Agbagno, who had assisted the opener, squandered the chance to double the lead with a missed effort that kept USMA momentarily alive.
But the reprieve was short-lived. In the 67th minute, Sadahine punished more slack defending by slotting home a second for ASO, further exposing the vulnerabilities of the makeshift USMA defence.
Burundian striker Caleb Bimenyimana, introduced in the second half, managed to pull one back deep into stoppage time via a penalty awarded after VAR intervention.
But the late goal proved a mere consolation as USMA slipped to a third consecutive defeat, their sixth-place position increasingly under threat with 33 points from 24 matches.
ASO Chlef, meanwhile, celebrated a rare away success — their second of the campaign — climbing to seventh place with 32 points and boosting their chances of a strong finish to the season.
The result underscores the urgency facing USMA, who appear in freefall and in desperate need of stability both on and off the pitch.
