The Algerian Cup quarter-final between MO Béjaïa and CR Belouizdad ended in controversy on Friday night, as crowd disturbances overshadowed the 1-0 victory for CRB at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou.
Acts of vandalism in the stands marred the match, prompting strong condemnation from JS Kabylie, the club responsible for the stadium.
Football overshadowed by fan unrest
While the match was decided by a lone goal from CRB’s Mayo, the football was largely forgotten due to chaotic scenes in the stands.
Spectators tore out seats and threw smoke bombs onto the pitch, disrupting what should have been a celebration of Algerian football.
The stadium, regarded as a symbol of modernity, was left damaged after the violent incidents.
JS Kabylie swiftly issued a statement denouncing the behavior, calling it a serious affront to the spirit of the sport. “Football should unite, not divide,” the club said, urging authorities to take firm action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Algerian Cup quarter-finals recap
Elsewhere in the competition, other quarter-final fixtures saw action across the country.
USM Alger and ES Sétif were among the teams battling for a place in the semi-finals, with their performances keeping fans on edge.
Ivory Coast withdraws as U20 AFCON host
In a separate development, Ivory Coast has officially withdrawn from hosting the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which was scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18.
The Ivorian government’s sudden decision, announced by the country’s football federation, leaves the Confederation of African Football (CAF) scrambling to find an alternative host with just a month to go before kick-off.
The reasons behind the withdrawal remain unclear, but the decision could have major implications for young African footballers seeking a platform to showcase their talent on the international stage.
CAF now faces a race against time to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned.
Match-fixing allegations shake Kenyan football
Meanwhile, in Kenya, goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been provisionally suspended for 90 days by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over suspicions of match manipulation.
The allegations stem from Kenya’s 4-1 defeat to Cameroon in a 2025 AFCON qualifier last October.
An amateur video circulating online reportedly shows an unidentified individual discussing a scheme with Matasi to influence the match’s outcome in exchange for money.
The FKF, in collaboration with FIFA and CAF, has launched an investigation into the claims.
The scandal has already claimed one casualty—Kenya’s former coach Engin Firat, who was dismissed following the team’s heavy loss in Yaoundé.
New coaches for Algeria’s youth teams
On the domestic front, the Algerian Football Federation has named Amine Ghimouz and Razik Nedder as head coaches for the national U17 and U20 teams, respectively.
Ghimouz, 51, returns to the setup after previously coaching the U20 side between 2007 and 2010, while Nedder, 38, leaves his role with AS Saint-Étienne’s reserve team, where he won the Coupe Gambardella in 2019.
Both coaches will take charge in April, with their primary focus on preparing their teams for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Algeria to face Sweden in friendly
In senior team news, Algeria is set to take on Sweden in a friendly on June 10, 2025, in Stockholm.
The match is expected to provide a stern test for Vladimir Petkovic’s side as they gear up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
A second friendly, potentially against Niger, is being considered for June 6 in Oran, though final confirmation is still pending from the Algerian Football Federation.
As Algerian football continues to face challenges both on and off the pitch, the coming months will be crucial in shaping the national team’s future.
