The 2019 African champions, suffered a devastating blow as they crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the group stage, mirroring their early exit in the previous edition. The Fennecs, having failed to redeem themselves in Ivory Coast, now confront an arduous challenge of reconstruction and reevaluation.
The final blow was delivered by Mauritania, who secured a historic 1-0 victory, marking their first-ever qualification for the 1/8 finals of the AFCON.
Placed last in their group with a mere 2 points, Algeria faced a disheartening conclusion to their campaign.
The defeat not only ignited frustration among supporters, some of whom visited the team’s hotel, but also invited harsh criticism from the press.
Amidst the post-match turmoil, national coach Djamel Belmadi faced a tense press conference, assigning blame to Algerian media representatives and addressing refereeing errors while expressing accountability for his decisions.
While Belmadi has not officially confirmed his departure, reports from RMC Sport and other sources indicate that he informed the players of his decision to step down.
Belmadi, who led Algeria to AFCON victory in 2019, cited the team’s progress under his tenure, noting their rise from 14th to 4th in the CAF rankings and 60th to 30th in the FIFA rankings.
Despite his achievements, the disappointment of AFCON-2021 and the failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup weighed heavily on his legacy.
The imminent departure of Belmadi raises questions about his successor.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) will play a pivotal role in approving Belmadi’s decision, with the coach having reportedly received a recommendation from FAF president Walid Sadi to address the players one final time.
The task of finding a suitable replacement becomes crucial, considering Belmadi’s significant impact on the team.
Names like Madjid Bougherra and Abdelhak Belaid have surfaced as potential candidates, with speculation about a return of Vahid Halilhodzic, although the latter denied any contact.
The dream scenario for many in Algeria is the appointment of Zinedine Zidane, a coach with global acclaim. Regardless of the choice, the new coach will inherit a team in need of revitalization.
In addition to the coaching dilemma, the Algerian team faces uncertainties surrounding key players like Riyad Mahrez, Sofiane Feghouli, Islam Slimani, and others, whose futures remain uncertain.
The potential departure of experienced players would necessitate the emergence of a new generation, including players like Ramy Bensebaini, Youcef Atal, Saïd Benrahma, Adam Ounas, and Nabil Bentaleb.
The crisis within the Algerian selection demands a comprehensive overhaul, requiring a delicate balance between retaining experienced players and introducing fresh talent.
The challenge is substantial, and the rebuilding process must be executed meticulously to rejuvenate Algeria’s footballing prowess on the continental and global stage.
