Algeria captaincy: Bensebaini leads five-man race to replace Mahrez

Ramy Bensebaini is the leading candidate to become Algeria’s new captain after the international retirements of Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi, but Brahim Hemdani has five players to consider before his first squad gathering.

For several years, Algeria’s leadership structure was largely settled. Mahrez wore the armband, while Mandi was viewed as his natural deputy. Their simultaneous retirements after the North American World Cup have left Hemdani with the task of establishing a new hierarchy within the team.

The appointment will not determine the success of Hemdani’s tenure on its own, but it will be an important early statement from the new manager. The player chosen will also be expected to communicate the coach’s instructions on the pitch and provide leadership during a period of transition.

Bensebaini appears to have the strongest case. The Borussia Dortmund defender has been an international since 2017, helped Algeria win the Africa Cup of Nations two years later and has earned 85 caps. He has the experience and character required for the role, while his willingness to accept responsibility has long been evident.

He is also generally a first-choice player when fit. That qualification, however, represents the biggest concern surrounding his candidacy. Bensebaini has regularly been disrupted by physical problems, meaning he may not always offer the continuity expected from a national captain.

Experienced alternatives

Nabil Bentaleb and Ismael Bennacer provide two more experienced options.

Bentaleb has been part of the Algeria set-up since the 2014 World Cup and is respected for his personality and authority. His performances for the national team, though, have not consistently matched the standards he has shown at club level.

Bennacer has worn the captain’s armband before, including in Algeria’s match against Iran in 2022 under Rabah Madjer. His technical standing within the squad remains significant. However, a succession of injuries, his absence from the most recent World Cup and his move to Al-Gharafa in Qatar have gradually taken him away from the centre of attention.

Hemdani may also decide to give greater responsibility to one of Algeria’s attacking players.

The manager and his assistant Anthar Yahia were at the Velodrome on Sunday, where Amine Gouiri scored twice despite Marseille’s defeat by Paris FC. The former Rennes forward has become one of the most dependable attacking players in the Algeria squad and could argue that he deserves a more prominent role.

An even more adventurous choice would be Anis Hadj Moussa. The Feyenoord winger is already regarded as one of the leading contenders to succeed Mahrez on the right side of Algeria’s attack.

Giving Hadj Moussa the captaincy after his failed move to Al-Ittihad could help him overcome that disappointment and accept greater responsibility. Yet taking Mahrez’s position in the team would not automatically give him the former captain’s authority.

For now, Bensebaini appears to be the most logical choice, with Bentaleb or Bennacer potential deputies. Gouiri, however, may have the strongest profile to represent Algeria’s new era over the longer term.

The armband would probably come too soon for Hadj Moussa, although his inclusion in the discussion underlines the importance expected of him in the future. After years of stability, Algeria’s supporters will be watching closely to see who Hemdani selects as his first captain.