Matches for the 29th and penultimate round of the Second Division Championship, Group "Center-West", were held on Friday evening, bringing significant developments to both the top and bottom of the league table. The matches of this key round, played on Friday evening, have set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season. JS El Biar, the current leader of the standings, had previously secured its promotion to the First National Division, marking a successful campaign for the club. Meanwhile, USM El Harrach, positioned as runner-up, has secured its participation in the mini-tournament, which will determine the third and final promotion ticket to the elite league.
Promotion Battle Intensifies
The race for the remaining promotion spot intensified significantly following the results of the penultimate round. USM El Harrach recorded a 1-1 draw away against Ghali Mascara, raising its tally to 59 points. This result solidified their position as runner-up in the Western Group, ensuring their place in the upcoming playoff. In other key matches, Raed El Kouba secured a narrow 1-0 victory against ASM Oran, earning key points in their bid for promotion. Similarly, JS Taimount also won with the same result, 1-0, away against JS Tiaret, demonstrating their resilience on the road.
These victories mean that both Raed El Kouba and JS Taimount now share third place with 56 points each, intensifying the competition for the final promotion spot. The head-to-head record between these two teams could prove decisive in the event of a points tie. Should Raed El Kouba and JS Taimount finish the final round with an equal number of points, JS Taimount would secure third place. This is due to their superior head-to-head performance, having defeated Raed El Kouba both at home and away with identical 1-0 scores during the season. This head-to-head advantage provides JS Taimount with a slight edge heading into the final matchday.
Path to Elite League
USM El Harrach, having secured its runner-up position, is set to participate in a mini-tournament to determine the third and final promotion spot to the elite league. They will be joined by either Raed El Kouba or JS Taimount, depending on the outcome of the final round. These three teams from the "Center-West" group will then compete against the second and third-placed teams from the "Center-East" group. This multi-stage playoff system is designed to identify the most deserving club from across both regional divisions. The winner of this playoff will earn the coveted promotion to the First National Division, joining JS El Biar in Algeria's professional football league. This multi-stage process ensures that only the top-performing clubs across both regional divisions secure a place in Algeria's professional football league.
Relegation Zone Confirmed
At the other end of the table, the teams facing relegation to the third division from the "Center-West" group have been confirmed. ES Mostaganem, GC Mascara, and WA Boufarik find themselves in this unfortunate position. Their positions at the bottom of the standings after the penultimate round have sealed their fate for the upcoming season. These clubs will now prepare to compete in the lower tier following a challenging campaign in the Second Division Championship. The confirmation of their relegation solidifies the lower end of the table, allowing attention to remain focused squarely on the ongoing promotion race at the top. This outcome marks a definitive end to their tenure in the current division.
Looking Ahead
The final round of matches, scheduled for May 9th, promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. Raed El Kouba is scheduled to host Ghali Mascara, needing a strong performance to secure their playoff spot. Simultaneously, JS Taimount will compete against the guest Widad Tlemcen, with their own promotion aspirations hanging in the balance. These matches will finalize the standings for the promotion playoff spot, determining which team will join USM El Harrach in the battle for the elite league. The outcomes of these fixtures will be closely watched by fans across the region.
