Algeria claimed their second victory in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a narrow 1-0 win over Botswana on Monday, but coach Djamel Belmadi expressed his frustration with the match. Speaking after the game, Belmadi highlighted the difficult playing conditions and criticized the excessive physicality of the opposition. “The conditions were difficult, bordering on impractical, but what we saw most of all was commitment bordering on the unreasonable; it looked like instructions. If some people think that’s how you make a match difficult…” he said, emphasizing his concern over the aggressive tactics.
The Fennecs endured heavy challenges throughout the match, with full-back Youcef Atal repeatedly targeted by Botswana players. The game took a turn when Botswana was reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Gape Gaoganwe, which helped Algeria maintain control and secure the crucial three points. Despite the win, Belmadi’s comments reflected the challenges his team faced in navigating a physically demanding encounter.
