Saliou Bangoura fires MC Alger to derby victory over CR Belouizdad 

MC Alger clinched a vital 2-1 derby win over CR Belouizdad in Ligue 1, thanks to a late strike from Guinean forward Saliou Bangoura, who has only just returned from a long injury layoff.

The match began with MCA spurning a big early chance for Bayazid after a clever pass from Ferhat, before CRB struck first following a costly loss of possession by Tabti.​

Amir Belhocini skipped past Abdellaoui with ease and slipped in El Mellali, whose header beat goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz after an uncertain exit in the 17th minute. MCA hit back quickly at home, with Bayazid levelling from close range after a brilliant overhead assist from Benhaoua, in a move initially flagged offside before the referee reversed his call in the 23rd minute.​

In the second half, El Mellali wasted a golden one-on-one chance for CRB, blazing over from a Meziane pass. MCA then took control after coach Rulani Mokwena introduced his Ivorian-Guinean trio, a bold change that transformed the game’s momentum.​

The winner arrived on 81 minutes, when Alhassane Bangoura spread play to Kipré, whose fierce shot was parried by goalkeeper Mokhtar, allowing Saliou Bangoura to pounce like a poacher for his first goal of the season after being sidelined since June. Late on, MCA captain Abdellaoui was sent off for a last-man foul on Tunisian forward Ben Hamouda, and Guendouz was forced off injured, adding a sour note to the victory.​

Despite the drama, MC Alger’s win keeps them firmly on top of the league with 25 points, three clear of their nearest rival and still holding three games in hand, underlining their strong title credentials.