Boukholda Joins MC Alger in Record Title Push
The North African football landscape is buzzing as the league leaders, MC Alger, officially bolstered their squad with the high-profile acquisition of Chahreddine Boukholda. The French-born playmaker arrives from MC Oran in a deal worth approximately €330,000 (R6.3 million), signaling the club’s intent to not just dominate locally, but to redefine their continental footprint under the guidance of South African mastermind .
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder, a refined product of the prestigious , has committed his prime years to the Algiers-based giants with a three-and-a-half-year contract. Boukholda was in scintillating form during the first half of the season, tallying four goals and four assists in just 13 appearances, making him one of the most coveted creative engines in the .
A Strategic Masterstroke by Mokwena
Boukholda was candid about what tipped the scales in favor of MC Alger. While the club’s prestigious history—founded in 1921 as “Le Doyen”—is a massive draw, it was the personal intervention of Mokwena that sealed the deal.
“I would like to thank coach Rulani Mokwena for requesting my services,” Boukholda shared via Ennahar Online. “He is young in age but possesses a wealth of experience. The results he has achieved speak for themselves. Personally, I have rarely seen such consistency. He loves football deeply, and that suits my style perfectly.”
Mokwena, often dubbed “Pep-Lite” for his tactical obsession, has transformed MC Alger since his arrival in July 2025. Hailing from Soweto and born into a legendary football dynasty—the son of Julius “KK” Sono and nephew of the iconic Jomo Sono—Mokwena has successfully transplanted the high-octane “shoe-shine and piano” philosophy to the shores of the Mediterranean.
Dominating the Algerian Landscape
The timing of this signing could not be more perfect. MC Alger currently sits comfortably at the summit of the , holding a formidable 35 points from 14 matches. They have carved out an 11-point lead over their closest rivals, CR Belouizdad, and are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak.
The club is chasing a historic feat: securing three consecutive league championships for the first time in their storied existence. With the tactical depth provided by the new signing, Mokwena is also eyeing a deep run in the , an objective the club’s board has prioritized alongside domestic dominance.
What’s Next for the League Leaders?
Boukholda is expected to make his debut as early as Friday evening when hosts ASO Chlef. Fans are eager to see how his European experience—honed during stints with Lille and Portugal’s Belenenses—will integrate into Mokwena’s fluid 4-3-3 system.
As the second half of the 2025-26 campaign unfolds, the synergy between a coach who treats football like chess and a playmaker with a French flair might just be the formula that cements MC Alger as the undisputed kings of North African football.
