USM Algiers

The Sporting union of Médina of Algiers is a club of Football Algérie N based with Algiers.

History

a Union and a whole History

The history of a Union which gave rise to Algerian a Sportive big family is told by one of the builders of this fabulous epopee. Late the Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat one of the founding members of the Of Algiers Moslem Sporting union, carries us by his account a such voyage in time.

This article was published in 1987 at the time of the fiftieth birthday of the club and its accession in Division One on the columns of the magazine Africa 1 Sport number 18 prepared by Mr. Moncef Bendjemaâ.

This testimony of the founding father can be only complete, it remains besides only and the single document coming from the only remaining member in life on this date there, let us recall that Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat is deceased in November 2003.

To our knowledge there does not exist any document which reports in way such a detailed of the whole beginning the birth of the USM Algiers. This said, research will not stop there, we will continue the investigation and the harvest of the documents, photographs and testimonys in order to enrich our files.

Birth of the Club

Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat acknowledges that the idea to create a club came like that. It had started to germinate with the current of the month of May 1937. “There was a team of district, the sporting club of the street saluste which had rained us. We, it was Ali Lahmar says Zaid, Ali Zemmour, Ali Slimani, Said Bennour, Arezki Meddad and Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat, a band of buddies of district which lived hard times of colonization. We often discussed, of all, the things of the life. And then of needle and thread we arrived at the sport. The example of the Moslem clubs of the time ignited us. A burning desire to do something gained us each time the subject was tackled. All these clubs had inspired to us, among which USM Oran created, she, in 1920 as regards name I knew all the wheels of such an operation. My frequent contacts with Mouloud Djazouli directing very active of MCA had learned to me much. I put immediately at work. It was necessary to prepare the statutes and the file to be lodged with the services of the prefecture. At once known as, made at once, the file is recorded under the number - await if my memories are exact - 1687. The only trick which shocked the colonial administration was the Moslem word. He was very badly seen. One discussed, one argued on the two sides and approval was granted. The July 5th 1937 the club was creates. The USMA had been born. Its seat was with the street of the Couch. Its first board of directors of course includes/understands the first named above to which will come to be added Abdelkader Amrani, Omar Hemmaz, Omar Lakehal, Mohamed Basta Ouali, Mohamed Zennagui, and Ali Cherifi. The first president was Arezki Meddad, the owner of the coffee of the district. When it was announced to him, this dear Arezki, it was with the angels!”.

the First Championship

The Of Algiers Moslem Sporting union was thus born and was ready to take part in 1938 with the championship of the third division At that time much of players had expressed the wish to come in this club, unfortunately the regulation (license B) theirs prohibited. Moreover, all the committed clubs was to have a stage for the competition. A criterion for which the federation of then was intransigent. Here what Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat did in front of these two problems: “The federation of the time required a contract with stage a one minimum duration five years. This to ensure the course of the competitions. I had contacted the leaders of the O Points Piscade current the Raïs Hamidou and we had gotten along by paying five thousand francs annually to him. For the money, useless to say to you from where it came”, adds it with a sigh which in known as length on the frame of mind which reigned in this time. More interested than ever we wonder on this question and more particularly about this history of license (B).

Half smile, Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat entrusts to us “Us had knowingly affiliated itself with the Sporting Fédération of Gymnastics of Work the first season. Blow when one passed to the federation of football precisely, it N had there more no obstacle. All those which wanted to choose the USMA could do it. There was no prevention. One thus began in the third division and one finished in the third place. It was not so badly for a beginning. As for the money, it came quite simply from the searches, the gifts, the receipts of the festivals which one organized. The other friendly clubs lent gracefully to us the equipment, the grounds for the drives. Here are resources of the USMA of the time. It should be also said to you that in this time, the player paid his contribution, his equipment and even his… displacement”. Political combat, the sport " indigène" was to survive and the sacrifices of all kinds did not amount any more.

The Passage of 3rd to the 1st Division

Then the world war arrives, the second, crueler than ever. The official competition is stopped. A championship symbolic system replaces it. Two groups are create. The USMA is with the Gallia Sports of Algiers, the RU Algiers, the other group includes/understands the MC Algiers, the ACE Saint-Eugénoise inter alia. That lasts three seasons.

Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat passes the hand on its hair, draws a puff from its énième cigarette and adds: “It was a way of making known to us and the results were not made wait. Abderahmane Ibrir former center-half of the ASTA became goalkeeper on our premises and with same known its first selection of Algiers under our colors. Others, allured afterwards by the club followed it. There was Hassen Zitouni, Rabah Zouaoui, Ismael Mahmoudi - a sharp winger as the flash although it limped of a leg - all of the MC Algiers Me Hammed Naceri and Houari of GS Orleans-city (current ASO Chlef), Berkani of the O Tizi-Ouzou and much of other still….”.

The USMA is a club known in spite of the little of means which it has. The resumption of the official competitions occurs in 1942. For season 42-43, the USMA returns in the third division according to the regulations in force. Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat intervenes: “The payments stipulated it. You think well, to make a favor with a Moslem club was unimaginable. Nevertheless at the end of this season, the USMA reaches in the second division with Mustapha El-Kamal as trainer. What I say, it was more than that, a teacher, a father for everyone. The mentality which he inculcated was to be useful to us well a long time after his departure. A great man undoubtedly. Its image is still alive, where it passed”.

The USMA reaches thereafter in 1951 in the first division with Krimos, the brothers Azzouz, Chabli, Benhaik… It is at the same time, the period day before of the big departures towards Hammam Lif.

The Spirit and Sacrifices of the USMA

The seat is now street of Bône opened meanwhile its doors with other sporting sections as boxing, the basketball and cycling. The activities continue their usual journey thanks to the devotion of the Abdelkader Amrani, Mohamed Abdelhamid, Abdelkader Cherchari, principal organizers of these new disciplines.

Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat makes a point of pointing out this to us: “Abdelkader Cherchari which was with the head of the section cyclist had even made gift of a " trois-pièces" that the USMA used as seat. Examples of this kind, each one gave some according to its possibilities. It was that the USMA, a school where the young people took as model all these men who brooded them… Hold, that returns to me. Ali Zemmouri one of those which belonged to the group-founder had the characteristic to take care each end of season of the patching up of all the pairs of shoes of football and with its expenses. This gesture can appear pain-killer to you. It would be it less when you know that all this time, it takes it on its annual leave. It is in my eyes the leader who incarnates best, all the love which it tests for the club. I re-examine it sitted in the middle of all these godasses, these nails, soles, discharging his task. This manner of contributing to the life of the club is in fact an example to meditate for all the rising generations…”.

You do not worry Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat, we meditate much, particularly when one one notes what occurs nowadays.

The coffee break, a rite that our " vieux" comes to extirpate us our deep reflections knew to keep jealously. How it would have been enthralling to live this period! Everyone which works in the same direction, towards the same goal and for the good of all, it is fantastic. For this reason Mr. Kemmat precise: “Cloakrooms? One never went there in the event of victory. It is after the defeats that players and trainers need support. Weren't they our sons? Didn't they have to be protected? More vulnerable than elsewhere, our players have a vital need of it. Think that among them there is that one saw being born. For others, one witnessed their birth then with their circumcision and finally with their marriage”. It is clear that under these conditions, the young person, educated as it was, can answer only by the respect. And it is what all these men ask who, following the example Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat sacrificed part of their life very short, without asking though it is n the other hand.

The list of the children of the club died for the fatherland is eloquent:

  • Ali Lahmar known as Zaid
  • Athmane Doudah
  • Abdelkader Belkaraoui
  • Boualem Mekirri
  • Mohamed Hamitouche
  • Mustapha Ouaguenouni
  • Mustapha Oukid
  • Allel Oukid
  • Mohamed Basta
  • Mohamed Halami
  • Abdelkader Boudissa
  • Mahmoud Louchal
  • Merzak Slama known as Pons
  • Mustapha Lounès known as Hafis
  • Mustapha Dimama

that they rest in peace, the Algerian youth in general and the club in particular which took over are proud them.

After one moment full with emotion, the discussion is resumed. One speaks about all, the anecdotes follow one another. One retains that which follows, it milked with the problems of the equipment: “We did not have precise colors. For lack of means, we were made lend sets of shirts for the matches of competitions. At its beginnings, the USMA had chosen the green and white respectively for the shirt and shorts, the red for bottoms. One day that we portions the colors of another club, the match had shown one 6 to 0 in our favor in front of an adversary which evolved/moved in green and white. This situation caused incredible a imbroglio at one of the supporters which did not carry us in his heart. The unhappy one had believed for a long time that we had taken the beating, him which had applauded all to break each of the six goals. When he realized that one told truth, what a disappointment for him! Since this day, it was the object of ceaseless amusing teasings strong. To return from there to the equipment itself, the USMA had chosen the red and the black and had profited from several gifts thereafter”.

After Independence

Independence, Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat is always general secretary of the club. It will remain there until the 1968. Its experiment of the businesses of football will lead it to the office of league until in 1967 and to the federal office starting from 1964 until in 1967. This period comes at the right moment named for this leader very listened, estimated and overflowing of activity.

One long period of unemployment - in 1956, the USMA at the moment of all the other Moslem clubs ceases its sports activities on order of FLN - assigns of nothing our man. It overflows of energy to the idea to work in free Algeria. A fol enthusiasm gains it. Projects, it has full the head of it. It is put immediately at work. Its first bet it carries it out as of 1962 by setting up the first Maghrebian tournament with the participation of the Wydad of Casablanca of Al Ittihad Tripoli of the ES Tunis and of course the USMA.

This footballistic demonstration is planned for the festivities of November 1st 1954. Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat tells: “The choice of the invited teams makes. It was necessary to fly away towards these countries brothers in order to stop all the conveniences. Saïd Meddad brother of Arezki Meddad and which had succeeded Mohamed Zennagui left for Tunis, Hadj Omar Dahmoune him, was sent like emissary to Tripoli and me to Casablanca. All this with our expenses. The USMA dealt with the reception, lodging and the restoration. On this subject, I must greet the great availability and the comprehension of our Tunisian, Moroccan brothers and Libyans who showed on this occasion of a remarkable direction solidarity.”.

Finally, it will be known thereafter that this tournament was transformed into three friendly matches since JS El Biar and the MC Algiers were to be added to the first four participants. Nevertheless, the first commemoration of the release of the armed struggle was the first success. This last will call others of them.

and Red Passion and Black Continuous

Today, Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat saw a peaceful retirement shared between the coffee of the corner, the mosque and the hearth. It deserves it well. The sport, football, it is with the current of all. It follows the evolution of football in the world and more particularly ours with attention. The reform for example which he considers salutary under all his aspects.

It left, others took the changing and will continue the task which it began in company of all his friends. All without exception. “A club it is a whole. Of the material president to the guard, the trainer to the sympathizer, while passing through the player, the leader, welfare man… etc Everyone is concerned. The merit, if there deserves is, does not return to us, with us exclusively. All those which contributed, in some manner that it is, are concerned” acknowledges-T it in conclusion. Thank you Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat, humility is not that a simple word in your mouth.

The USKA celebrated its fifty years of existence and the occasion to join together everyone was not seized. Many of these people, did not take part in this festival. Of the founding father, Mr. El-Hadj Ahmed Kemmat with the son sympathizing like Boualem Rahma, the singer chaâbi, a nutcase of the " reds and noir" , everyone was forgotten. Involuntary omission? Ingratitude? Whatever the reasons, the festival was not total. Which damage.

Historical documents

Source with Photograph

Prize list

Current manpower (2007-2008)

Former players

Some former trainers

  • Trainers: Ali Fergani, Noureddine Saâdi, Younes Ifticen, Mustapha Haddane, Mustapha Biskri, Rene Lobello, Rachid Belhout, Abdelkader Amrani (current)

Course of the USMA in the cuts of Africa

THE ASSESSMENT :

1982: Cut cuts: 1st Turn > Cara Brazaville - Zaire 2-0 0-1 2nd Turn > Bundel Insurance - Nig- 2-0 1-3 1/4 of finales > Hearts - Gha - 2-1 0-2

1989: Cut cuts: 1st Turn > Freedom FC - Nig- 4-0 0-1 2nd Turn > Stage Malian - Badly 1-0 0-1 4-3 1/4 of finales > BFV FC - Mad - 1-3 X

1997: Champions League: 1st Turn > Depor Travadores - Civ- 6-1 3-1 2nd turn > Udoji United - Nig- 3-0 0-2 1/2 of Groupe finales has > Rajah Casablanca - MaR- 2-2 2-0 > Orlando Pirates - AFs- 2-1 1-1 > Primeiro Agosto - Ang- 1-0 1-2 Classement Grp has > 1.Raja Casablanca 6 3 2 1 10 - 6 11 2.USM Algiers 6 3 2 1 9 - 6 11 3.Primeiro of Agosto (Luanda) 6 3 1 2 7 - 9 10 4.Orlando Pirate (Marshalltown) 6 0 1 5 5-10 1

1998: Cut cuts: 1st Turn > Hawks - Gam- X X 2nd Turn > Ghapoha - Gha- 1-0 1-0 1/4 of finales > Primeiro Agosto - Mad- 1-2 0-3

1999: Cut CIF: 1st Turn > Horoya AC - GUI 2-1 2-3 2nd Turn > Al Ahly - South 5-0 2-0 1/4 of finales > WAC Casablanca - Mar- 2-1 0-1

2000: Cut cuts: 1st Turn > JS Ténéré - Nig- 1-0 1-1 USMA Disqualified because of its Koulibaly guard. 2002: Cut cuts: 1st Turn > Gazelle - Chad- 6-1 0-0 2nd Turn > Manga Sport - Gab- 1-0 2-1 1/4 of finales > US Transfoot - Mad- 8-2 3-1 1/2 of finales > WAC Casablanca - Mar- 2-2 0-0

2003: Champions League: 1st turn > Wallidan FC - Gam- 2-0 1-2 2nd turn > Stage Malian - Badly 2-0 1-1 1/4 of finales Groups B > ACE Aviaçao - Ang- 2-0 0-1 > Hope - Tun- 0-1 0-2 > Canon of Yaounde - Camwood 3-0 2-0 Classification Grp B > 1.Espérance (Tunis) 6 4 2 0 7 - 2 14 2.USM Algiers 6 3 0 3 7 - 4 9 3.Canon of Yaounde 6 2 1 3 6-10 7 4.Atlético Sport AviaçAO (Luanda) 6 1 1 4 3 - 7 4 1/2 of finales > Enyemba - Nig- 1-1 1-2 after prolongation.

2004: Champions League: 1st Turn > ASFA Yennega - Bur- 8-1 2-2 2nd Turn > Asante Kotoko - Gha- 2-0 0-2 3-1 1/4 of finales Groups B > Jeanne d' Arc - SEN 1-1 1-2 > Hope - Tun- 3-0 1-2 > SuperSport U - AFs- 2-1 1-2 Classification Grp B > 1.Espérance (Tunis) 6 4 0 2 12 - 7 12 2.Jeanne of Arc (Dakar) 6 3 2 1 8 - 9 11 3.USM Algiers 6 2 1 3 8 - 8 7 4.SuperSport United (Pretoria) 6 1 1 4 5 - 9 4

2005: Champions League: 1st turn > Al-Olympic - Lyb- 5-0 2-0 2nd turn > Al-Ahly - Egy- 0-1 2-2

2005: Cut CIF: 1/4 of finales > Marsa - Tun- 1-1 1-1 4-5

2006: Champions League: 1st Turn > Kadiogo - Bur- 1-0 1-1 2nd turn > Dakar Port - SEN 3-2 1-2

2007: Champions League: 1st turn > ACE Fnis - Nig- 3-1 0-2

Course of the USMA in the regional cuts

1969: Maghrebian cut of the winners of cuts (in Casablanca) : 1/2 of finales > EH Benghazi 2-1 finale > RS Settat 0-1

1970: Maghrebian cut of the winners of cuts (in Tunis) : 1/2 of finales > African Club 0-1 3rd Place > WA Casablanca 1-3

2003: Cut Arab of the clubs champions (in Cairo) : Group B > Zamalek 1-1 > Shurta (Police force) - Iraq 1-1 > Kuwait 1-1 > Jaish (Armed) - Syria 4-1

  • 1.Kuwait SC 4 2 2 0 9 - 5 8
  • 2.Zamalek 4 2 1 1 5 - 5 7
  • 3.USM Algiers 4 1 3 0 7 - 4 6
  • 4.Al-Jaish 4 1 0 3 6-10 3
  • 5.Al-Shurta 4 0 2 2 6 - 9 2

2007: Arab Champions League: 1st Turn > Talaba - Iraq - 2-0 2-0 2émeTour > Arabi - Kuwait - ** ** Still in string.

Principal sponsors

External bonds

  • 2 {{E}} Official site of the club

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