The Algerian Professional Football League (LFP) has officially announced that the Ligue 1 Mobilis fixture between USM Alger and ES Mostaganem, originally set to take place at the July 5 Stadium, has been relocated to the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki.
The match, part of the 19th round of the league, will now be played on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 22:00 local time.
The LFP did not provide specific reasons for the venue change but confirmed the decision via an official statement on its website.
A crucial match for both sides
USM Alger heads into the fixture in strong contention for the league title, currently sitting third in the standings, level on 29 points with JS Kabylie.
The club is just three points behind CR Belouizdad, who occupy second place, while MC Alger leads the table with 37 points.
For ES Mostaganem, the situation is far more precarious.
The team is struggling near the bottom of the standings, tied in 14th place with NC Magra, both on 17 points.
With relegation fears looming, Mostaganem will be desperate to secure a positive result against a title-chasing USMA side.
Why the venue change?
The LFP has not disclosed the exact reasons for relocating the fixture, but such changes are typically made for logistical, security, or pitch condition concerns.
The Nelson Mandela Stadium, a modern facility located in Baraki, has increasingly been used for high-profile domestic and international matches since its inauguration.
Title race heats up
For USM Alger, this match presents an opportunity to keep pace with the top two and strengthen their push for the championship.
After a solid start to the season, the club will be looking to capitalize on home advantage at their new venue.
On the other hand, ES Mostaganem will see this as a chance to upset one of Algeria’s biggest clubs and escape the relegation battle.
With every point crucial at this stage of the season, both teams have plenty at stake heading into this encounter.
Fans will now turn their attention to March 6, when the two sides clash under the lights at Nelson Mandela Stadium, in what promises to be a significant match in both the title race and the battle for survival in Ligue 1 Mobilis.
