USM Alger Coach Resigns Amid Fan Backlash

 USM Alger Coach Resigns Amid Fan Backlash

Abdelhak Benchikha coach of USM Alger, during the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup Final between USM Alger of Algeria and young african tanzania in Algiers, Algeria, on June 03, 2023(Image-Getty)

USM Alger, the reigning African Confederation Cup champions, have parted ways with their coach, Abdelhak Benchikha, following an incident where he was heckled by the club's fans. The club announced this development on Facebook, stating that the incident occurred as Benchikha was preparing to lead the team's training session.

A group of fans had gathered at the entrance of the Omar Hammadi Stadium, and upon Benchikha's arrival, they confronted him with insulting and obscene words. This hostile reception led to Benchikha immediately submitting his resignation.

The fans' criticism of Benchikha had escalated after USM Alger suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of JS Kabylie in the Algerian League on a recent Saturday. USM Alger currently occupies the bottom position in the league, having failed to secure any points in their first two matches. They do have two postponed matches yet to be played.

It's worth noting that Benchikha had previously guided USM Alger to their historic first African Confederation Cup title in June. The club also started the new season on a high note by defeating Egypt's Al-Ahly to win the African Super Cup.