Olympique Akbou (Arabic: أولمبي أقبو; Kabyle: Ulembi Aqbu; Tamazight: ⵓⵍⴻⵎⴱⵉ ⴰⵇⵠⵓ), known as O Akbou or OA for short, is an Algerian football club located in Akbou, Béjaïa Province, Kabylia. The club was founded in 1936 and its colours are blue and white. The club is currently playing in the Algerian Ligue 2.[2]
 | |||
| Full name | Olympique Akbou Ulembi Aqbu ⵓⵍⴻⵎⴱⵉ ⴰⵇⵠⵓ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | L'OA (The OA) Les Lions de la Soummam (Izmawen n Sumam/The Soummam Lions) Les Bleus et Blancs (The Blues and Whites) | ||
| Short name | OA O Akbou | ||
| Founded | 1 January 1936 | ||
| Ground | 1 November 1954 Stadium (Akbou) | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Owner | Soummam | ||
| President | Karim Takka | ||
| Head coach | Mourad Karouf[1] | ||
| League | Ligue 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | Ligue 2, Center-East Group, 1st (promoted) | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
|
| |||
History edit
In summer 2018, a year after being relegated to the Division d'Honneur of Béjaïa (then 7th tier),[3] the club was acquired by local businessman Karim Takka.[4] The club immediately gained promotion to the Régionale II the following season. Following 2 successive promotions (the 2020–21 having not been held due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the club found itself in the 3rd tier (the removal of the professional Ligue 2 meant all below tiers would gain one step).
The 2022–23 season saw the club achieve historic success. Bolstered by the arrivals of Mourad Karouf in November 2022 at the helm and Zidane Mebarakou during the winter transfer window at the back, the club achieved a run to the 2022–23 Algerian Cup quarter-finals.[5] On 5 May 2023, Olympique Akbou were promoted to the Algerian Ligue 2 for the first time in their history.[6][7] It was their 4th consecutive promotion.
The 2023–24 season began with an away loss at CA Batna. Nevertheless, the club bounced back and went on a 23-game unbeaten run in the league started on October 7th with a 5–0 home win against USM Annaba and ended with a 1–0 away loss at AS Aïn M'lila on May 4th. On 11 May 2024, Olympique Akbou were promoted to the Ligue 1 for the first time in their history after beating NRB Teleghma.[8] It was their 5th consecutive promotion, and thus becoming one of the very few clubs around the world to have done so.
Grounds edit
They typically play at 1 November Guendouza Stadium in Akbou.[9]
However, the past years, OA also played their home games in neighboring cities, such as Sidi Aïch and Ighzer Amokrane.[10][11]
The club also hosted games in the Maghrebi Unity Stadium during the 2022–23 season, both in the league and cup.[12]
The Martyrs Stadium, Akbou's municipal stadium, will host the team's games in the future, after the completion of renovation works.
Players edit
Current squad edit
As of 5 February 2024[update][13] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Reserve squad edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Personnel edit
Current technical staff edit
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Mourad Karouf |
| Assistant coach | Farid Belkessa |
| Goalkeeping coach | Omar Hamenad |
| Fitness coach | Syphax Ouddai |
Honours edit
- Ligue 2 (Level 2)
- Winners: 2023–24
- Ligue 3 (Level 3)
- Winners: 2022–23[14]
- Régionale I (Level 4)
- Winners: 2021–22[15]
- Régionale II (Level 6)[Note 1]
- Winners: 2019–20[16]
- Division d'Honneur (Level 7)[Note 2]
- Winners: 2018–19[17]
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ "Ligue deux : Accession historique de l'Olympique Akbou en Ligue 1". dzfoot.com. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "lirf.org.dz - OAkbou". Ligue Inter Régions de Football.
- ^ "L'Olympique Akbou retrouve la Régionale 2". La Dépêche de Kabylie. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "L'Olympique Akbou, une équipe modèle". La Dépêche de Kabylie. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Coupe d'Algérie: qualification historique d'Akbou en quarts de finale". Le Score. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Les nouveaux clubs de la Ligue 2". lnfa.dz. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Ligue 3 : l'Olympique d'Akbou accède en Ligue 2". mediafootdz.dz. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Ligue deux : Accession historique de l'Olympique Akbou en Ligue 1". lnfa.dz. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "L'Olympique Akbou célèbre sa promotion en Ligue II Amateur !". Beur FM. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Djazairess : Olympique Akbou (Régionale 1) : L'équipe domiciliée à Sidi Aïch". djazairess.com. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Olympique Akbou - SS Sidi Aïch, les retrouvailles ! - La Dépêche de Kabylie". La Dépêche de Kabylie. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Coupe d'Algérie: qualification historique d'Akbou en quarts de finale". Le Score. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Olympique Akbou – Ligue Nationale du Football Amateur". 26 August 2023.
- ^ "Accession en Ligue 2 : Historique pour Akbou, le MSPB et le WAM reviennent". - El Watan. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Régionale 1 : L'Olympique Akbou accède en Interrégions - El watan.dz". - El Watan. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Note aux clubs" (PDF). Ligue Régionale d'Alger.
- ^ "L'Olympique Akbou retrouve la Régionale 2". La Dépêche de Kabylie. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2023.