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Rabat – Algerian football player Billel Benhammouda has died at the age of 24 after he was involved in a tragic car accident.
The USM Algiers midfielder was on his way back home with a friend following Algeria’s friendly match against DR Congo on Thursday night.
The Algerian Football Federation and Benhammouda’s club USM Alger confirmed his death on Friday.
The North African country defeated DR Congo 3-0 in the international friendly, with Benhammouda scoring the second goal.
Several Algerian football clubs, including USM Alger, JA Kabylie, and CR Belouizdad, extended their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
USM Alger “extends its sincere condolences to the Ben Hamouda family following the tragic death of their son Billel,” and is praying to “Allah Almighty to bless the deceased with his mercy, place him in paradise, and grant his family patience and solace,” the club said in a statement on Twitter.
“We send our condolences to the fans and family of Algeria’s Billel Benhammouda,” the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also said on Twitter.
Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic has also mourned the death of Benhammouda and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.
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“Raja Sports Club received with great sadness and sorrow the news of the death of the Algerian international player Bilal Ben Hamouda,” the Casablanca-based club tweeted.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation also extended their condolences to Benhammouda’s family, “asking the Almighty [god] to bless the deceased with his mercy and to give his family and relatives patience and solace.”
Ben Hammouda was scheduled to take part in today’s league match between USM Alger and ES Setif, but the match has been postponed following news of the young midfielder’s death.
According to local media, Benhammouda’s father said that his son “had just been granted a visa, he was going to leave USM Alger and join a club in Europe next season. Now he will join his creator instead.”
