Ali Benfadah

Ali Benfadah ( – ) was an Algerian international footballer and manager who played as a forward.

Life and career Ali Benfadah was born in 1935 and began his football career in the same year as a player with the Federal School team, affiliated with USM Alger. Benfadah played as an attacking midfielder and was with this team from 1947 to 1952. After independence, Benfadah played for Espérance de Belcourt, then for JS El Biar, and USM Alger. His final club as a player was USM El Harrach, where he retired and moved into coaching. On 30 December 1984, Benfadah died on the football field, in the 11th minute of the second half of the match between USM El Harrach and USM Bel Abbès. Benfadah suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Mustapha Pacha University Hospital, where he drew his last breath.

Benfadah began his coaching career with USM Alger in 1958/59, then moved the following season to JS El Biar, and to CR Belouizdad in 1960/61, leading them to their first promotion to the top division, his first major achievement as a coach. He returned to JS El Biar for another season, then managed MC Alger in 1962/63, followed by USM El Harrach in 1963/64, then MO Constantine. In the same year, he moved to USM Blida, whom he promoted to the first division. He also managed ASM Oran, MC Saïda, NA Hussein Dey, USM Blida again, Rouïba, CR Belouizdad, El Karma, and NR Boussaâda.

In 1955/56, Benfadah coached MC Alger, then CR Belouizdad, achieving another promotion to the top tier. He returned again to USM El Harrach and earned a third promotion further confirming his talent. Benfadah also coached RC Kouba, where he achieved good results, then returned once more to his favorite club, USM El Harrach.

1965: Changed tactics due to circumstances In the 1965 season, Benfadah led El Biar to the top division. In 1965/66, he coached El Biar again, while also managing MC Alger. In 1969/70, he returned to El Biar, then coached USM Boufarik in 1970/71, and Rapid Relizane the following season. At the time, the team was struggling to remain in the first division, but managed to stay up thanks to coach Ali Benfadah.

Benfadah also coached other second-division teams, including US Sougueur in 1972/73, where he achieved good results. In 1973/74, he managed US Biskra, achieving an important promotion. In 1977/78, he coached JSM Skikda, then Oued Rhiou in 1979/80, and Nadit El Kouba in 1981/82, promoting them to the first division. His last team was USM El Harrach in 1982/83, and it was during an official match that he died.

Honours Club JS Kabylie Ligue Nationale du Football Amateur (1): 1967–68 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 (1): 1968–69 MC Alger Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 (1): 1971–72 Algerian Cup (1): 1970–71 Maghreb Cup Winners Cup (1): 1972 USM Alger Algerian Cup (1): 1980–81 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 (1): 1980-81