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Brahim Benzaza

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brahim Benzaza
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-04-08) 8 April 1997 (age 29)
Place of birth Mostaganem, Algeria
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position Midfielder
Youth career
–2017 ES Mostaganem
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 ES Mostaganem
2019–2021 ASO Chlef 49 (3)
2021–2026 USM Alger 104 (8)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 6 June 2026

Brahim Benzaza (Arabic: ابراهيم بن زازة; born 8 April 1997) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.[1][2]

Career

[edit]

USM Alger

[edit]

Arrival and continental success

[edit]

On 12 September 2021, USM Alger signed Brahim Benzaza on a two-year contract after he had attracted interest from several clubs.[3][4] Benzaza made his debut for USM Alger on 30 October 2021, starting in a 4–0 home victory over RC Arbaâ. He scored his first goal for the club in the 11th round of the Ligue 1 season, finding the net in a 4–1 win against NC Magra. On 3 June 2023, Benzaza won the first title of his professional career after helping USM Alger win the 2022–23 CAF Confederation Cup by defeating Young Africans in the final.[5]

At the end of his contract, Benzaza initially decided to join rivals MC Alger before changing his mind following advice from Samir Zaoui, who encouraged him to renew his contract with USM Alger. MC Alger president Hakim Hadj Redjem claimed that he possessed the player's signed agreement for a two-season contract with the club.[6] Despite the controversy, Benzaza eventually renewed his contract with USM Alger for three more seasons, while the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) officially announced that the player was registered with the club until 2026.[7][8][9] On 15 September 2023, Benzaza won the CAF Super Cup with USM Alger after defeating Al Ahly SC, securing his second African title with the club in just three months, Benzaza won the penalty that Belaïd converted for the only goal of the match.[10]

Difficult season and Algerian Cup triumph

[edit]

During the 2024–25 season, Brahim Benzaza endured a difficult period with USM Alger as his performances declined significantly compared to previous campaigns. Despite remaining a regular starter under coach Nabil Maâloul, the midfielder struggled to regain his best form and became the target of heavy criticism from supporters, particularly on social media. Reports indicated that the pressure affected him mentally, leading to a loss of confidence and uncertainty about his future role within the team.[11]

Benzaza was also dealing with a minor ankle injury and was left out of the squad for some matches, while competition for places increased following the arrival of coach Marcos Paquetá.[11] The resurgence of Islam Merili and Adalid Terrazas, combined with the signing of Mehdi Merghem, made it increasingly difficult for him to secure a guaranteed place in the starting lineup. Despite his struggles, Benzaza remained regarded as an important player because of his technical ability and experience.[11] Despite the difficulties he faced during the season, Benzaza managed to end the campaign on a high note by winning the Algerian Cup. In the final against CR Belouizdad, he started the match and delivered an important assist that contributed directly to his team's victory.[12]

Revival, continental glory and departure

[edit]
Brahim Benzaza the champions of the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup for the second time.

With the appointment of coach Lamine N'Diaye, Benzaza regained his confidence and quickly re-established himself as a key player in the starting lineup of USM Alger. After a difficult 2024–25 season, he managed to bounce back and once again became an important figure in midfield under the Senegalese coach. In the Algerian Cup, Benzaza played a decisive role in helping USM Alger secure the title against CR Belouizdad. He provided a crucial assist for Ahmed Khaldi, who scored the winning goal, allowing the club to lift the trophy for the second consecutive season.[13]

On 16 May 2026, Benzaza added another major achievement to his career by winning his second CAF Confederation Cup title with USM Alger, after a dramatic final victory against Zamalek SC decided by penalties (8–7). This success further confirmed his strong comeback and his key contribution to USM Alger's continental dominance.[14] At the expiration of his contract, Benzaza left USM Alger in the summer of 2026, bringing an end to a five-year spell with the club. During his time with the Red and Blacks, he won five major trophies.[15][16]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 6 June 2026[17]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
ASO Chlef 2019–20 Ligue 1 19020——210
2020–21 303——1[a]0313
Total 49320—10523
USM Alger 2021–22 Ligue 1 241———241
2022–23 1611011[b]0—281
2023–24 173309[c]1—294
2024–25 242508[b]0—372
2025–26 2316013[b]21[d]0433
Total 10481504131016111
Career total 153111704132021314
  1. ↑ All appearance(s) in Algerian League Cup
  2. 1 2 3 All appearance(s) in CAF Confederation Cup
  3. ↑ 1 appearance in CAF Super Cup, 8 appearances and 1 goal in CAF Confederation Cup
  4. ↑ All appearances in Algerian Super Cup

Honours

[edit]

USM Alger

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Benzaza Signe A L'USMA". africasport.dz. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "Brahim Benzaza - Player Info".
  3. ↑ "Benzaza signe a l'USMA". Africa Sport. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "USM Alger : Benzaza cinquième recrue". El Moudjahid. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 "USM Alger Lift CAF Cup Despite Home Loss To Young Africans". Barrons. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Benzaza a signé au MCA puis a renouvelé à l'USMA". Le soir d'Algerie. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "USM Alger: dix cadres prolongés d'un seul coup". lescore.dz. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Football: USMA: Dix joueurs prolongés d'un coup". rivalite.dz. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "USM Alger : Huit joueurs rempilent jusqu'en 2026". mediafootdz.dz. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  10. 1 2 "L'USMA remporte la Supercoupe de la CAF face au Ahly". Media Foot DZ. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 "USMA : Benzaza dans le dur". Competition. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  12. 1 2 "USMA 2 – CRB 0 : une USMA 9 étoiles". Competition. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Coupe d'Algérie (Finale) : l'USMA fait tomber le CRB et décroche la Décima". competition.dz. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Zamalek 1 – USMA 0 (victoire de l'USMA aux tab 7- 8): l'USMA sur le toit de l'Afrique". competition.dz. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "USMA : le club fait le point sur le mercato". competition.dz. 13 July 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "USM Alger : Le point sur le mercato estival". footalgerien.com. 13 July 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Brahim Benzaza at Soccerway
[edit]
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