Chabiba Tiaret and USM El Harrach tighten grip on second division leaders

The battle for dominance in Algeria’s second-tier football league intensified this week, as rivals Chabiba Tiaret and USM El Harrach closed the gap on their respective group leaders, Najm Ben Aknoun and Mostaqbal Al-Ruwaisat.

The fiercely contested 10th round saw significant shifts in standings across both the Centre-West and Centre-East groups.

In the Centre-West group, JS Tiaret delivered an emphatic 3-0 victory over Ittihad Bashar Jadid, solidifying their position in second place with 19 points.

This win narrows the gap with group leaders Najm Ben Aknoun, who remain at 22 points, to just three points.

Meanwhile, Ittihad Bashar Jadid’s struggles continue, slipping to eighth place with 14 points after a string of poor results, including two losses and a home draw.

Elsewhere, Widad Mostaganem capitalized on home advantage, defeating Etoile El Kolea 2-1.

This crucial victory propelled Widad into joint fifth place alongside Association Oranaise and Chabab Al-Abyar, all sitting at 15 points and within striking distance of third place.

In contrast, Etoile El Kolea’s decline saw them drop to 10th place with 11 points, just three points above the relegation zone.

In a dramatic turnaround, Shabab Al-Mishria secured their first win of the season, edging out Safaa Khamis Miliana with a solitary goal.

Despite remaining at the bottom of the table with four points, the victory reduced the gap to safety, reviving their survival hopes.

The Centre-East group saw USM El Harrach maintain their strong form, edging past USM Chaouia 1-0 with a penalty converted by veteran Hisham El Okabi.

This win positions El Harrach firmly in second place with 21 points, keeping the pressure on leaders Mostaqbal Al-Ruwaisat. USM Chaouia, on the other hand, remain eighth with 12 points.

As the league approaches its midway point, the competition intensifies, with teams battling for promotion and survival in Algeria’s gripping second division championship.