Abdelmalek Ziaya (born 23 January 1984) is an Algerian former footballer.
Career ES Sétif Ziaya was born in Guelma. He played regularly in ES Sétif's first team, and was a fixture in the club's 2006–07 Arab Champions League triumph, scoring a goal against Al-Ittihad in the second round and against Al-Nasr in the group stage.MTNfootball.com - MTN CAF Champions League - Entente Setif Qualify For Arab Champs League Semifinals Ziaya scored again in the 2007–08 Arab Champions League versus Al-Wehda in the round of 16.Algeria's ES Setif advances to Arab Champions League third round (Magharebia.com)
On 26 December 2009, it was announced that the 25-year-old Algerian striker was going to move on loan from ES Sétif to FC Sochaux with an option to buy. However, four days later, it was reported that ES Sétif president refused to loan the player to Sochaux and was negotiating with Saudi Arabian club Ittihad Jeddah.
Ittihad Jeddah On 6 January 2010, Ziaya signed a two-year contract with Saudi Arabian Ittihad Jeddah, with the club paying €2 million for the transfer. He scored two goals in his first game for the club, a 4–1 win in a friendly against Al-Ettifaq. On 23 February 2010, Ziaya made his official debut for Al-Ittihad in an AFC Champions League match against FC Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan, with the score ending 3–0 in favour of the home side. He scored his first official goal for the club on 8 March 2010 in an AFC Champions League match Zob Ahan. Ziaya scored the goal in the 16th minute of the game, with the game ending 2–2. In his first league game for Ittihad, on 14 March against Al-Ahli, he delivered an assist to Manaf Abushgeer for the only goal of the game. Despite achieving only one championship with the team in two years, he is considered to be one of Ittihad's greatest strikers recently and has expressed his urge to rejoin Saudi Arabia.
Club Athlétique Bizertin On 29 July 2012, Ziaya signed a two-year contract with Tunisian club CA Bizertin. On 1 August 2012, he made his official debut for the club in a league game against ES Zarzis, scoring a goal on the occasion.
International career After showing excellent form for ES Setif in 2009, scoring 15 goals in 13 games in the 2009 CAF Confederation Cup and a further 8 goals in first half of the domestic league, Ziaya was called up by Rabah Saadane for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola.
On 12 January 2010, Ziaya made his debut for the Algerian National Team coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute in a group game against Malawi at the 2010 African Cup of Nations.
Career statistics
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Saudi Arabia League Crown Prince Cup League Cup Asia Total2009–10Ittihad JeddahSaudi Premier League210052531262010–1123920427436152011–124200002062 Total Country291220941475423
Honours Club ES Sétif CAF Champions League: 2014 CAF Super Cup: 2015 Algerian Ligue 1: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15 Algerian Super Cup: 2015 Arab Champions League: 2006–07, 2007–08 North African Cup of Champions: 2009 Finalist of the CAF Confederation Cup: 2009
Ittihad FC Saudi Champions Cup: 2010
USM Alger Algerian Ligue 1: 2013–14 Algerian Cup: 2013–14 Algerian Super Cup: 2013
Individual 2009 CAF Confederation Cup top scorer (15 goals in 13 games)
References
External links Player profile