The race for promotion to the Algerian Professional League has taken an unexpected turn after underdogs US Chaouia and CRB Ain Temouchent secured places in the playoff final following dramatic semi-final victories on Saturday.
Both clubs overturned expectations to eliminate stronger favourites on paper, setting up a decisive final that will determine the third team promoted to Algeria’s top division next season.
The playoff final is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 20, at the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou. The match will be played without supporters due to exceptional regulations introduced for this season’s playoff competition.
The Algerian Second Division had already completed its regular season across the Central-Western and Central-Eastern groups, with JS El Biar and US Biskra securing automatic promotion after finishing top of their respective divisions.
The remaining promotion place is being decided through a newly introduced playoff system recommended by the Algerian Football Federation.
The format mirrors the promotion playoffs used in England’s Championship, with second-placed teams facing third-placed sides from the opposite group in two semi-finals before a one-off final decides the final promoted club.
The first semi-final saw US Chaouia produce one of the biggest surprises of the season by defeating USM El Harrach 2-1 at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran.
USM El Harrach had entered the match as favourites but struggled to contain the energy and attacking threat of their opponents, particularly Malian striker Serigne Konate.
Mohamed Feniri opened the scoring for US Chaouia in the 58th minute before Konate added a second goal from the penalty spot in the 75th minute.
Konate’s performance proved decisive, with the striker scoring once and creating another goal to reinforce his reputation as one of the standout players in the Algerian second division this season. His performances have already placed him among the leading candidates for both the league’s best player award and the top scorer honour.
The second semi-final produced another major upset as CRB Ain Temouchent overcame Chabab Batna after a dramatic penalty shootout.
The match at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers ended 1-1 before Ain Temouchent prevailed 4-2 on penalties to book their place in the final.
A crucial role was played by substitute goalkeeper Saou Bouziane, who was introduced late in the game specifically for the shootout by coach Mustapha Djelik, the former MC Alger player.
The tactical gamble proved successful as Bouziane saved two penalties to secure qualification for Ain Temouchent in one of the most dramatic moments of the playoff campaign.
The final now promises to carry enormous significance for both clubs.
US Chaouia are attempting to return to the Algerian top flight after several years away, while CRB Ain Temouchent are chasing promotion to the Professional League for the first time in the club’s history.
With both teams already defying expectations, the decisive meeting in Tizi Ouzou is expected to deliver another intense chapter in Algeria’s promotion race.
