Speculation surrounds the Algerian national football team’s captaincy, with indications that star player Riyad Mahrez may have been relieved of his role as captain.
Sources suggest that Djamel Belmadi, the coach, is considering redistributing the captain’s armband to either Sofiane Feghouli or Aissa Mandi.
Allegedly, this decision stems from Belmadi’s belief that these two players are better equipped to fulfill the responsibilities of leadership.
Simultaneously, this move aims to alleviate the perceived pressure on Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez has held the captaincy since Belmadi assumed coaching duties in 2018.
Under his captaincy, Mahrez played a pivotal role in guiding the team to continental triumph in 2019, a feat celebrated widely.
The decision to potentially alter the leadership structure could be a strategic move rather than a permanent shift, acknowledging Mahrez’s contributions while exploring tactical adjustments.
Algeria is scheduled to face Burundi in their final friendly match on Tuesday, providing a platform to observe Mahrez’s role within the team.
Depending on the coach’s strategy, Mahrez might be given a break along with other key players to ensure optimal readiness for the upcoming competition.
The journey for Algeria in the African Cup begins with a challenging encounter against Angola on Monday, January 15.
Subsequent matches in the group stage involve clashes with Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
The potential captaincy change introduces an additional layer of intrigue to Algeria’s campaign in the prestigious tournament hosted in Ivory Coast.
