USM Alger will kick off their CAF Champions League group stage at home against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, aiming for a strong start on the opening day. The match, set for Saturday at the Mustapha-Tchaker Stadium in Blida, marks a high-stakes Maghreb derby that promises to be both unpredictable and fiercely contested.
Despite their stature as Algerian champions, USMA enter the competition as underdogs. The team, which reached the finals in 2015, is determined to challenge the continent’s top clubs, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Petro de Luanda, and Wydad Casablanca. Midfielder Tahar Benkhelifa highlighted the importance of starting the campaign positively: “It’s true that the draw we got is very difficult, but we are also a big club and we have ambitions. This first match is very important, especially since we will be playing at home. A good start is more than necessary, so we will have to win this match to put ourselves in the best possible position.”
USMA will rely on the experience of key players such as Zemmamouche, Meftah, and Belkaroui to navigate the challenges of the group stage. With several home stadiums unavailable due to CAF regulations or renovations—including the Omar-Hamadi, August 20, and July 5 Stadiums—the Mustapha-Tchaker Stadium provides a crucial venue for the Red and Black as they aim to assert themselves early in the competition.
The opening match against Wydad Casablanca represents a significant test for USM Alger, offering the opportunity to set the tone for their continental campaign while leveraging home advantage and veteran leadership to secure a vital first victory.
