AFCON 1990 Top Scorer Djamel Menad Dies at 64

Former Algeria striker Djamel Menad has passed away at the age of 64 after a brief illness, his former club JS Kabylie announced on Saturday.

“The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the death of Djamel Menad, a true legend of football in the country,” the club said in a statement.

According to local media, Menad’s health deteriorated rapidly after being diagnosed with a serious illness two months ago.

He had been receiving treatment in Brussels before being hospitalised in Algiers on March 14, where he died.

Born on July 22, 1960, in El Bayadh, Menad earned 79 caps and scored 25 goals for Algeria during a 15-year international career.

He was instrumental in helping Algeria qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and was named Algerian Sportsman of the Year in 1985.

Menad was also the top scorer at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, netting four goals as Algeria won the title on home soil.

At club level, he played for JS Kabylie, CR Belouizdad, and USM Alger in Algeria, as well as European sides Nîmes (France), Famalicão, and Belenenses (Portugal).

After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and most recently served as sporting director at JS Kabylie.