USM Alger Secure Survival as MCEE and ASO Chlef Relegated on Final Day
The curtain has closed on the 2014–2015 Algerian Ligue 1 season with high drama on the final day. While ES Sétif had already secured the title, the spotlight turned to the fight for survival, involving five teams: USM Alger, RC Arbaâ, NA Hussein Dey, ASO Chlef, and MC El Eulma.
In the end, ASO Chlef and MC El Eulma were relegated to Ligue 2, joining USM Bel Abbès, whose fate had already been sealed.
The key clash of the day saw USM Alger face ASO Chlef, a do-or-die encounter that lived up to its billing. Despite the match being played behind closed doors, USMA responded emphatically, crushing ASO 3-0 with goals from Youcef Belaïli (9’), Bouazza, and Koudri, all before halftime. The result confirmed USMA’s survival and sealed ASO Chlef’s drop to the second tier.
USMA goalkeeper Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche, who had vowed to give everything to save the club, expressed relief:
“We are very happy. We kept our word. It was a victory of heart, achieved through the will and solidarity of the players.”
Coach Mounir Zeghdoud echoed the sentiment:
“If we had played like this since the first half of the season, we wouldn’t have been in this position. Now we can look ahead to the Champions League group stage, and this win will give us a morale boost.”
With their top-flight status secured, USM Alger can now focus on continental duties, while ASO Chlef and MCEE must regroup for life in Ligue 2.
