Rachid Soualhi

Haroun Rachid Soualhi was an Algerian football goalkeeper who became one of the defining figures of Batna football and won two caps for Algeria. He died on the evening of 7 October 2026, aged 77.

Born in Batna on 16 January 1949, he began at Mouloudia Sportive Populaire de Batna (MSP Batna) as an outfield player before being moved between the posts. With the club's juniors he won the first edition of the Coupe de la République juniors in 1966-67 against Mouloudia d'El Eulma. He played for MSP Batna from 1968 to 1975, moved to city rivals Chabab Aurès Batna (CA Batna) from 1975 to 1977, then returned to MSP Batna until 1982. Those years, spent almost entirely in his home city, made him a local reference for supporters of both Batna clubs.

His club form brought him into the Algerian national team. French Wikipedia and match records credit him with two official appearances between 1971 and 1972: a 0-0 draw with Libya on 24 November 1971 and a 5-1 defeat by Guinea on 12 March 1972 during the campaign linked to 1974 World Cup qualifying. National Football Teams lists him as a goalkeeper born in Batna. After hanging up his gloves he stayed in the game as a goalkeeper coach at CA Batna and MSP Batna, passing on his experience to younger keepers.

Football ran in the family. His brothers Kamel and Hussein were also involved in sport; his son Samir played for CA Batna; and his nephew Sofiane served as club doctor at MSP Batna. In November 2024, when his health was already a concern, the Association Mechâal of former MSP Batna players and officials organised a tribute that brought together old teammates around him.

Le Matin d'Algérie reported that he died on the evening of Wednesday 7 October 2026 at the age of 77, and remembered him as a simple, available and respectful man whose name belongs to the memory of Batna football. Obituaries and the French Wikipedia entry place his death on that date; the English Wikipedia Deaths in 2026 list also records him among notable deaths of 7 October.