Algeria

Algeria. The development of African football was acclaimed around the world, but the rapid improvement did not mean all that much at home – the oldest and better organized leagues along the Mediterranean coast still had gaps. Thus, Algerian football was already going on the road of full professionalism, but as late as 1986-87 it is impossible to establish reliable records: how many goals MS Oran scored this season is still disputable. What happened to ESM Guelma? If they were relegated, why? Or were they were expelled for some violations of rules? Or what? Anyhow, Algerian football was one of the best organized in Africa, having a very long tradition. The top league had 20 teams, but was going to be reduced to 18 the next season – so, 5 teams were going down and 3 were promoted from second level. USK Alger, JSM Tiaret, JSM Skikda earned promotion. The last 4 in the top league were relegated: WO Boufarik, last with 27 points, MB Saida – 19th with 28 points, GCR Masacara – 18th with 31 points, and CM Constantine – 17th with 33 points. One more team had to go down, however… and that should have been the 16th: WM Tlemcem. But they stayed. Apparently ESM Guelma, 13th with 37 point disappeared from the league. Since nobody seems able to find why, statisticians keep the final table with a question mark – ‘relegated?’
The rest was normal.
JS Bordj Menaiel finished 9th with 40 points.
Better known Mouloudia – MC Alger – finished 10th with 39 points.
One club was above the rest, had a splendid season and won the title easily:
Entente Sportive Setifienne – usually known just as ES Setif (but sometimes written EP Setif) – won 19 games, tied 10 and lost 9. Scored 40 goals, received 22. 48 points left MP Oran 6 points behind. Not the best scorers – 7 teams scored more than them (most of all this season scored RCM Relizane – 49. They finished 15th), but had the best defence – the only other team allowing less than 30 goals in their net was JE Tizi Ouzou with 28; they finished 6th. Ties dominated the championship – only 2 teams ended with less than 10 – so the champions were quite modest in that department – they mostly won games and that makes one a champion.
Excellent season for ES Setif, no doubt about it. And historic one as well – they won their 2nd title after a considerable wait.