Algeria delay appointment of Brahim Hemdani’s second assistant

Brahim Hemdani will have to wait for the additional member of his Algeria coaching staff after the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) postponed a decision on his request.

According to De Winwin, Hemdani asked the FAF to appoint a second assistant alongside Antar Yahia, who joined him as he began his first major role in charge of the national team in September.

The federation subsequently asked Hemdani and Yahia to suggest potential candidates. A shortlist featuring former Algeria internationals was then submitted for consideration.

Nadir Belhadj and Karim Matmour are among those proposed. Both have a good relationship with Hemdani and Yahia, having previously played alongside them for the national team. The identities of the other candidates have not been disclosed.

The arrival of the new assistant has now been postponed until March, meaning the appointment is expected after the November international gathering, the same source reports.

The FAF is understood to want more time to assess the applications. Some of the candidates, including Belhadj, remain under contract with their clubs. The former left-back has officially been responsible for Al-Sadd’s youth teams since July 2023.

The federation also does not regard the appointment as an immediate priority. Hemdani and Yahia have already finalised the arrangements for Algeria’s next training camp and are managing player follow-up and communication in real time.

Delaying the decision would also give the eventual appointee sufficient time to prepare for the role without being placed under unnecessary pressure.

Algeria prepare for Togo double-header

Algeria will face Togo twice in November in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers. The first match is scheduled for 14 November in Tizi-Ouzou, with the return fixture taking place in Lome on 17 November.

The Fennecs began their qualifying campaign last month with a 3-1 victory over Zambia in Tizi-Ouzou before drawing 2-2 with Burundi.

Those results have left Algeria top of Group I, one point ahead of the team in second place. Two wins against Togo would therefore represent a significant step towards reaching the final tournament.