Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani avoids media duties ahead of Niger friendly

Brahim Hemdani will not face the media before Algeria’s friendly against Niger after the Greens’ disappointing 2-2 draw with Burundi.

Neither the Algeria coach nor any of his players will attend a press conference or mixed zone before Tuesday’s match in Tizi Ouzou.

The decision comes after Algeria surrendered a two-goal lead in Burundi, conceding twice within 12 minutes before recovering to earn a draw.

The match was a friendly, which means the Algerian Football Federation is not bound by the same media requirements that apply to fixtures organised by the Confederation of African Football or FIFA.

The previous two gatherings had nevertheless included media engagements and produced several statements from the team.

The decision to keep Hemdani away from the media comes at a time when the coach has faced early criticism.

Algeria’s performance in Bujumbura raised questions over their defensive organisation, while some of Hemdani’s decisions and his post-match comments also attracted attention.

One area likely to have come under scrutiny was the midfield. Algeria played without a recognised defensive midfielder, leaving significant spaces between the lines. Himad Abdelli and Farès Chaïbi were given responsibilities that did not necessarily match their natural positions.

Avoiding media duties allows Hemdani to focus on his squad and use the remaining time to work on his tactical plans. However, it also means he will not have the opportunity to explain the decisions that came under criticism following the Burundi match.

Hemdani has some factors working against him as he prepares for Niger. Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Adem Zorgane and Saâdi Radouani have all withdrawn from the squad.

The friendly is also expected to provide opportunities for players who have had limited playing time, meaning Algeria could make several changes to their starting line-up.

Despite those circumstances, Algeria will go into the match as favourites and will be expected to produce a more controlled display than they managed in Burundi.

Niger will provide an interesting test because their coach, Nabil Neghiz, previously worked as an assistant to Vladimir Petković. Neghiz therefore knows many members of the Algeria squad and is familiar with some of the tactical habits of players he recently worked with.

A defeat against Niger would increase the pressure on Hemdani, particularly because the opposition coach has links to the previous Algeria coaching set-up. Even a narrow victory may not be enough to remove the concerns if there is little improvement in the team’s performance.

Hemdani was initially viewed as a possible interim coach before being confirmed as the permanent head coach of the Greens. As a result, each match will play a role in shaping perceptions of his project.

The victory over Zambia offered an encouraging beginning, but the draw with Burundi exposed areas that still require attention.

The Niger fixture will bring Algeria’s first gathering under Hemdani to a close. Although the short period together is not enough to reach firm conclusions, the two matches have provided some early indications of the direction he wants to take.

With Hemdani staying away from the media this time, the focus will instead be on his players and their performance when the match begins at 18:00.