1947–48 USM Alger season

In the 1947–48 season, USM Alger is competing in the First Division for the 11th season French colonial era, as well as the Forconi Cup. They will be competing in First Division, and the Forconi Cup.

On August 22, 1947, USM Alger officially inaugurated its new headquarters and multi-sports hall located at 5, rue de Bône (Algiers). The ceremony was attended by many personalities, as well as club officials and honorary members. The large complex included several physical training rooms equipped with changing rooms and showers, a basketball court, a boxing ring, a gymnastics hall, and areas for medical care. The upper floor housed offices and meeting rooms. L'Écho d'Alger reported the words of club leader Mohamed Zenagui, who declared: “The Union’s projects will not stop here, we will continue along the path we have set, inch’Allah.^[2]”

According to club official Abdelkader Omrani, the building had once been a stable for animals, located in a narrow alley leading toward the Soustara neighborhood. The club obtained the property and undertook its transformation. The work was carried out by volunteers, including officials, members, supporters, and sympathizers. The son of former player Hassan Rabah recalled that his father, a bricklayer by trade, took an active part in the construction and renovation, supervising several phases of the project.^[1]

USM Alger then entered the Coupe départementale, an official competition that brought together clubs from Algiers and its surroundings. Exempt from the first round, USMA made its debut in the second round. On September 7, 1947, at the Hydra Stadium, the “Red and Black” faced SCU El Biar and won 2–1. Two weeks later, on September 28, they traveled to Palestro to take on Bouira AC. In a one-sided match, USMA claimed a convincing 4–0 victory, cheered on by a large crowd that had traveled to support the team.^[1]

  Win   Draw   Loss

The Algiers League with the approval of the F.F.F.A, decided to add another team to the list of qualifiers for the North African Cup. According to the draw, Stade Guyotville was to face ASPTT Alger, and the winner would meet USM Alger in a decisive playoff match. On January 25, 1948, the highly anticipated encounter between USM Alger and Stade Guyotville took place at the Saint Eugène Stadium. The match began in a tense atmosphere due to its importance, and nervousness quickly translated into rough and violent play on the field. USMA opened the scoring in the first half through El Kamal, before Rabah Bedarane doubled the lead early in the second half. The domination continued when Rabah Zouaoui netted a superb direct free kick to make it 3–0, and at that point, USMA seemed destined for qualification.^[22]

However, the game took a dramatic turn when player Chaouane Ammar was injured following harsh tackles from the opposing defenders, forcing him to leave the pitch. From there, the situation spiraled out of control: Stade Guyotville pulled two quick goals back, then equalized 3–3 just minutes later. The tension escalated further when the referee awarded a controversial penalty against USMA, coupled with the sending off of Chaouane Abdelkader. Unable to accept what he saw as blatant injustice, Chaouane tried to argue with the referee, but to no avail. Overcome by anger, he lost his temper and physically assaulted the referee, striking him violently. The match was abandoned twenty minutes before full time, with chaos erupting as fans invaded the pitch and the police had to intervene.^[22]

Following the incidents, the League submitted its report and imposed heavy sanctions: USM Alger was expelled from the competition, and its points were erased. Chaouane Abdelkader was banned for life from football due to his assault on the referee. USMA was fined 1,000 francs because of its supporters’ misconduct. Stade Guyotville was declared qualified to the next round.^[22]

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted alphabetically by surname when total goals are equal.

• L'Echo d'Alger : journal républicain du matin