National Team: Year In Review 2005

[TonyStarks]

Originally posted by Nordino
- How many are actually watching Algeria's matches, and why do they change venues in front of every game?

- What are the ticket prices for clubs and national team?

- Who has most fans in Algeria? I saw highlights from the Algiers derby and it was clear that most of the spectators cheered for MCA when they scored.

1. When the national team plays in Alger very few come out to cheer it. The friendly against Burkina Faso didnt even have 5,000 people. When they play in Oran at least 30-40,000 come out to the game (full capacity). In Annaba same thing, its a full capacity and i think the stadium holds 50-60,000.

2. Ticket prices -> Regular club games cost 100 dinars (some clubs and in the second division it can be 50 dinars). Premium games (derbies, African Cup games, Arab Cup games) will cost 200 dinars. The national team tickets are 200 dinars as well.

3. Most fans in Algeria is MCA by far. First team created by Muslims in Algeria (hence Mouloudia -> birth of the Prophet (pbuh)). First team in Algeria to win an African Cup. Other major teams include MC Oran, JS Kabylie, USM Alger, ES Setif, MO Constantine, ASM Oran ... and the list goes on.

[TonyStarks]

It was CR Beni Thor (from Ourgala). My cousin used to play for their junior team and supposedly he was good enough to play pro but he stopped.

The season starts end of August, beginning of September. Theres a break in the winter time (december 20th to about january 20th) give or take 5 days.

Geographically ... we have teams from all over. Currently 5 teams from Alger (MCA, USMA, NAHD, CRB and Paradou). USM Blida from Blida, which is just outside Alger (40 minutes). From the West we have MCO, WAT, ASOC. From the east we have USM Annaba, CS Constantine, ES Setif and CA Batna and US Biskra (a little south). From the Kabylie region (which is east sorta) we have JS Kabylie and CA Bordj Bou Arreridj. I hope that answered all your questions ... keep em coming!

Mr.Meaner ... if you dont mind me asking, what year are you born (or age or whatever)? If you were watching USMA in Bologhine in 88, you must be a little older.

[TonyStarks]

USM El Harrach are definately a major club in Alger. I cant wait till the climb back to the top division. They have some of the best fans in Algeria. Another big team in Alger is RC Kouba. Both teams are in the second division now.

[TonyStarks]

You know whats embarassing, I've only been to one game in Algeria. USMA vs Super Sport United from South Africa in the African Champions League 2 years ago. Mamamdou Diallo (now playing for Nantes in France) scored 2 goals. We won 2-1. We shoulda won 10-2 tho. Achiou and Dziri were killing the other team in the midfield and Deghiche missed so much in front of goal, the whole stadium was swearing at him miskeen LOL. Diallo scored the winner in the last play of the game. The whole stadium went nuts ... the trip home was crazy too. We walked from 5 Juillet to El-Biar (about 15 minutes) but all teh fans stopped in Chevally (on the bridge that used to be there) and they lit up les fumigenes (flares) and started chanting, cars hitting their horn, it was nuts!

[TonyStarks]

I have the highlites from that Algeria-Juventus game. We had a crazy team back then. Now our friendlies involve countries like Gabon, Burkina Faso and Jordan .....

[TonyStarks]

With that said, Algeria might be facing Burkina Faso (yet again!) in a friendly in February. The game wouldnt be played on FIFA date meaning only local players would be available. Nothing is official as of yet though.