Tragic bus crash claims lives of Footballer, Coach in Algeria

In a tragic incident, a bus crash in Algeria resulted in the loss of lives of a footballer and coach associated with the football team Mouloudia El Bayadh on Wednesday.

The tragedy has led the national football federation to postpone all scheduled games in the country as a mark of respect.

The fatal accident claimed the lives of El Bayadh goalkeeper Zakaria Bouziani, 27, and assistant coach Khalid Muftah, as reported by the Algerian state news agency.

The team’s bus overturned in the town of Sougueur in northwestern Algeria while en route to Tizi Ouzou for an upcoming league game against JSK Kabylie on Friday.

While local media provided details of the incident, the club shared on Facebook that 10 other injured team members were in stable condition following the crash.

In response to the tragic event, the Algerian Football Federation (Faf) issued a statement announcing the suspension of all football activities scheduled for the end of the week throughout the country.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed great pain and sorrow upon receiving the news, extending condolences to the families of the victims.

Zakaria Bouziani, a 27-year-old stand-in goalkeeper, had made two league appearances in the current season.

Although he was an unused substitute in the team’s recent 1-1 draw with USM Alger, Bouziani had also played for other Algerian Ligue 1 sides, including JS Saoura and NC Magra during his career.

Following the tragic incident, Faf has also postponed the draw for the next two rounds of the Algerian Cup, originally scheduled for December 26.

Mouloudia El Bayadh currently holds the fourth position in the Algerian league table with 15 points from 10 games, trailing 12 points behind the leaders MC Alger.