WA Boufarik 87–79 NB Staoueli | Algeria Super Division | June 5, 2026

WA Boufarik delivered a commanding performance at home on Friday night, defeating NB Staoueli 87–79 in an Algeria Super Division clash that kept the hosts firmly in the race for the upper half of the table. Boufarik used a strong third-quarter push to break open a tight contest, outscoring their visitors 27–18 in the period and never looking back.

Match Overview

The game tipped off at 23:30 local time and drew a lively crowd to the Salle Omnisports de Boufarik. Both teams entered the fixture with contrasting recent form – Boufarik riding a two‑game winning streak, while Staoueli had dropped three of their last four. From the opening whistle, it was clear that Staoueli intended to disrupt Boufarik’s rhythm, matching them basket for basket in a first quarter that ended 22–21 in favour of the hosts.

Staoueli’s perimeter shooting kept them within striking distance in the second quarter, but Boufarik’s interior defence and timely transition baskets allowed them to take a 44–41 lead into halftime. The turning point came early in the third quarter when Boufarik’s full‑court press forced three consecutive turnovers, turning a three‑point lead into a double‑digit advantage that Staoueli could never fully erase.

Key Moments

• Third‑quarter surge: Boufarik opened the second half with a 10–0 run, capped by a fast‑break dunk from forward Mehdi Belkacem that forced a Staoueli timeout.
• Free‑throw composure: In the final two minutes, Boufarik converted 8 of 10 free‑throw attempts to seal the win, while Staoueli missed three crucial foul shots in the same stretch.
• Defensive stand: Staoueli’s leading scorer, guard Yacine Haddadi, was held to just 12 points – nearly 10 below his season average – by a disciplined Boufarik zone defence.

Standout Players

• Mehdi Belkacem (WA Boufarik): The power forward finished with a game‑high 24 points and 11 rebounds, his fifth double‑double of the season. His energy in the paint was instrumental in Boufarik’s second‑half separation.
• Rafik Salhi (WA Boufarik): The point guard controlled the tempo with 8 assists and only 2 turnovers, while adding 14 points and 4 steals.
• Abdelkader Zouaoui (NB Staoueli): The centre kept his team in the game early, scoring 18 points and collecting 9 rebounds before fouling out with three minutes remaining.

Season Context & Table Impact

With this victory, WA Boufarik improved to 9–6 on the season, solidifying their position in sixth place in the Algeria Super Division standings. The win also extended their home unbeaten run to four matches. NB Staoueli, meanwhile, fell to 6–9 and remain just two places above the relegation zone. The result could prove significant as the league enters the final third of the regular season, where every point matters in the race for playoff seeding and survival.

Boufarik will look to continue their momentum when they travel to face USM Blida next week, while Staoueli return home to host ASM Oran in a must‑win fixture to halt their slide.