Madjid Bougherra, the Algerian coach of Al-Markhiya SC in Qatar, has just been relegated to the second division after losing the play-down match on Sunday against Al Shahaniya 3-1.
Appointed last October when the team was at the bottom (synonymous with immediate descent), Madjd Bougherra had managed to move the Doha-based club up one position, thus playing a play-off match against the second place in Qatar’s D2 to save its place in D1. This match against Al Shahaniya was the match not to be lost for the troops of the former Algerian international.
The game started badly with their opponents opening the score in the 17th minute. After the equalizer in the 75th minute, there was hope again. Then they were denied a goal for a foul in the area, before Al Shahaniya took the lead in the 83rd minute, although there was a foul on the captain at the start of the action. A third goal in added time (90+5th) will dampen the hopes of Al-Markhiya, who lacked efficiency. A very frustrating scenario…
Towards a new challenge?
Bougherra signed for three seasons when he signed last October. It remains to be seen whether the prospect of coaching in the Qatari second division interests him. The 41-year-old former defender will certainly take stock of his future with his managers. With a successful experience with the Algerian A’, since he won the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021 and reached the CHAN final in 2022 (defeat against Senegal 0-0 and 5 tabs to 4), Bougherra will certainly be asked if he wishes to take on a new challenge, but the prospect of joining the Qatari club could also tempt him. We should know more soon.
