On February 28, 2025, the Algerian football scene witnessed significant developments as the JS Kabylie secured its first victory of the year, overcoming Paradou AC 2-1 during the 18th round of Ligue 1. This win, held at the Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed, brought much-needed relief to the Canaris, who had been on a disappointing run without success across four matches.
The match kicked off positively for JS Kabylie, who took the lead very early, with Redouane Berkane scoring just two minutes in. Berkane made the most of a well-executed corner from Kouceila Boualia, heading the ball past the Paradou goalkeeper. This marked Berkane's fourth goal of the season, demonstrating his growing importance to the team.
Paradou AC, who had been struggling, managed to level the score at 1-1 when Ouanisse Bouzahzah found the back of the net with a header off a free kick delivered by Adil Boulbina at the 70-minute mark. This equaliser invigorated the Paradou side and gave them hopes of turning the match around.
It was not to be, as the momentum shifted again just 12 minutes later. Mohamed Amine Madani scored from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the box, providing JS Kabylie with a decisive 2-1 lead late in the game. This victory not only boosted JS Kabylie's morale but also moved them up to fourth place in the league standings.
For Paradou AC, the loss marked their third consecutive defeat, raising concerns among their supporters. The team's poor form sees them struggling to climb out of their current rut, having not won for five matches now.
Meanwhile, another pivotal match took place yesterday as USM Alger faced El Bayadh, where they endured a disappointing 2-1 defeat. The loss sent shockwaves through the club as they seek to maintain their standing on the podium. During the match, USM Alger put forth only minimal attacking pressure until late, significantly underperforming for the first hour. El Bayadh capitalized on USM’s defensive errors, with goals from Sediri and Toumi, both of which were met with defensive lapses from the Alger side.
USM’s coach Carlos Paqueta witnessed improvements after substituting in newcomer Adalid and Burundian player Bimenyimana, whose entry sparked some urgency. Bimenyimana did manage to score, but it was too late to change the outcome, leaving USM Alger fans feeling frustrated as they witnessed their team miss multiple opportunities to equalize.
Adding to the excitement of the league, yesterday's matches also featured JS Saoura, who claimed victory at home, defeating Olympique Akbou 2-1. This win boosts JS Saoura's standing as they continue to push for league prominence.
Looking forward, the league remains competitive, with teams vying for favorable positioning as the season progresses. The recent performances from both JS Kabylie and USM Alger showcase the unpredictable nature of the league, with every match pivotal to the teams' aspirations. Fans will be keeping close tabs on the next fixtures hoping for thrilling displays as the races for the top positions heat up.