1997–98 USM Alger season
In the 1997–98 season, USM Alger competed in the Division 1 for the 22nd time They competed in Ligue 1, the Algerian Cup, the Algerian League Cup, the African Cup Winners' Cup, and the CAF Champions League. In the 1997–98 season witnessed the return of former coach Younes Ifticène who was behind the rise in the 1994–95 season, in 1997 CAF Champions League USMA participated for the first time a new copy of the competition Where they reached the group stage and in the last match against Primeiro de Agosto USM Alger won with a single  goal that was not enough to qualify for the final after a major conflict with Moroccan club Raja Casablanca Which at the same time in South Africa scored the winning goal in the last minute and qualified for the final, In 1997–98 season Algerian Football Federation change league system to the groups USMA signed in the group B with strong teams such as ES Setif, JS Kabylie and MC Alger side managed to qualify for the final 3 points form JS Kabylie Then in the final against USM El Harrach at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 USM Alger lost the  title 2–3 after they advanced (2–0) 20 minutes before the end of the match to receive a full team of three goals, in the final minute USMA get a Penalty kick Its lost by defender Mounir Zeghdoud The Reds and Blacks ends the season without a title. Squad list.