JS Kabylie clinched a 2-1 win in their opening pre-season friendly in Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, overcoming a spirited performance from Turkish fourth-division side Turgutluspor. Despite the modest level of opposition, the Algerian giants were made to work hard for the victory, with goals from Redjem and Akhrib in the second half ultimately securing the result.
The match, held as part of Kabylie’s pre-season training camp, began slowly for the Canaries, with the team struggling to break down a determined Turgutluspor defence.
The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, as head coach Abdelkader Benchikha’s men failed to convert numerous chances, leaving them frustrated heading into the break.
JS Kabylie came out stronger in the second half, with Redjem breaking the deadlock in the 57th minute, giving his side a much-needed boost.
Akhrib then doubled their lead in the 77th minute, securing a vital morale-boosting win despite the tough resistance from their lower-tier opponents.
While the victory was a positive start to their pre-season campaign, the performance highlighted areas of concern for Benchikha and his coaching staff.
Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, JS Kabylie’s inability to finish chances in the first half underscored the need for improvement, particularly in attack.
Benchikha was seen closely monitoring the game, taking note of these deficiencies and planning necessary adjustments before the competitive season begins.
JS Kabylie will continue their pre-season preparations with a more challenging encounter against Bahraini club Al-Muharraq on Saturday at 5 p.m.
This match, the second of four scheduled friendlies during their Turkish training camp, is expected to provide a sterner test for the team.
Coach Benchikha deliberately scheduled this initial warm-up match against lower-caliber opposition to ease his players into match fitness before taking on tougher teams later in the camp.
JS Kabylie’s preparations are critical as they gear up for the start of the new season on September 21, where they will face reigning Algerian champions MC Alger in a highly anticipated opening fixture.
In the lead-up to this match, the club has placed significant emphasis on making sure the squad is battle-ready, both physically and tactically.
The match against Al-Muharraq promises to be a better gauge of where the team stands, and Benchikha is expected to rotate his squad extensively to give all players a chance to prove themselves.
This approach will help him refine his tactics and finalize his starting eleven ahead of the competitive season.
In addition to the matches against Turgutluspor and Al-Muharraq, JS Kabylie has scheduled two more friendlies during their time in Turkey.
The identities of these opponents are yet to be finalized, but the club’s management is working to secure strong opposition to further test the team’s mettle.
Benchikha has made it clear that he wants to face higher-level teams to assess his players’ readiness and address any weaknesses ahead of the new season.
As the countdown to the start of the Algerian Championship continues, Benchikha’s focus will be on ensuring that JS Kabylie are prepared on all fronts.
The friendly matches will provide valuable insights into the squad’s progress and allow the coaching staff to make the necessary tactical tweaks before the big kick-off.
