Ex-Pirates Coach Pips Ramovic To CAFCL Spot

Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has ousted Sead Ramovic to a spot in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League following their respective matches on the final day of the Algerian Ligue 1 on Saturday night.

The German tactician guided JS Kabylie to a slender 1-0 win over ASO Chlef, courtesy of a goal from Reda Benchaa. As a result, the Canaries leapfrogged CR Belouizdad into second place and secured their ticket to Africa’s elite club competition for the first time since the 2021/22 campaign.

Having been in control of their Champions League qualification hopes for a large chunk of the season, Ramovic’s men choked in the final lap after settling for a share of the spoils in a goalless draw against rejuvenated Olympique Akbou.

This saw Khanyisa Mayo’s side surrender the runners-up position and drop to third place for a berth in the CAF Confederation Cup next term. The Chababists were knocked out of the Champions League group stages in the 2024/25 season.

After 14 matches in charge, comprising eight wins, four draws, and two defeats, Zinnabauer, who was appointed in January, managed to steer JS Kabylie to an overall points haul of 56. 

Meanwhile, the ex-TS Galaxy mentor, who recently signed a new three-year deal, pushed Belouizdad to 55 points.

On the other hand, MC Alger were crowned Algerian champions for a second season in a row despite playing out to a goalless draw with already-relegated NC Magra at home in their penultimate league fixture of the term.

Alger enjoyed a solid campaign where they amassed 58 points from 30 matches, while scoring 39 goals and conceding 19 in the process – the fewest goals conceded by any team in the just-ended Algerian top-flight season.

Khaled Ben Yahia, who took over in December last year, ensured a return to the Champions League with 12 wins, 10 draws, and two losses in the dugout. The Tunisian mentor was sent packing by Pirates in the quarterfinals of the competition in the last campaign.