The Algerian national team has been rocked by the sudden and mysterious departure of their captain, Yacine Brahimi, ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Uganda. This development follows a bitter 2-1 home defeat to Guinea in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) announced Brahimi’s withdrawal through an official press release, citing an injury as the reason.
According to the statement, Brahimi reportedly experienced hamstring pain during the match against Guinea.
However, his substitution, which occurred just before the hour mark alongside Yacine Benzia, did not initially suggest any significant injury.
Algeria’s coach, Vladimir Petkovic, made a double substitution to inject more dynamism into the team, bringing on Baghdad Bounedjah and Mohamed El Amine Amoura.
Despite this tactical shift, the team could not secure a positive result against Guinea.
The FAF press release further explained that a medical examination on Friday confirmed Brahimi’s injury, leading to his omission from the squad traveling to Kampala for the match against Uganda.
This sudden move raised eyebrows, especially given Brahimi’s role as the team captain and the importance of the upcoming fixture.
Speculation about Brahimi’s “diplomatic injury” has been rife among sports pundits, fans, and media outlets.
Many are questioning the timing and nature of his departure, considering it comes at a critical juncture for the team.
The curious aspect of this situation is that Brahimi reportedly only felt minor pain, which suggests that his condition might not be severe enough to warrant his complete withdrawal from the squad.
Further fueling speculation, Brahimi’s departure appears to be linked to an incident with the supporters at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki.
After the match against Guinea, Brahimi faced hostile chants from the stands, demanding his exit. This public display of dissatisfaction, witnessed by Brahimi’s family members, reportedly affected him deeply.
The backlash and subsequent media storm have led some to believe that Brahimi’s withdrawal may have been influenced by the negative reaction from fans and the pressure it placed on him.
The notion of a “diplomatic injury” is gaining traction, suggesting that the decision to leave the squad might be more about shielding the player from further criticism and giving him time to recover mentally and physically.
As Algeria prepares to face Uganda without their captain, the team will need to regroup and focus on securing a vital victory.
The loss of Brahimi, both on and off the field, presents a significant challenge for the national side as they aim to bounce back in the World Cup qualifiers.
