Did you know that 10 players on Algeria’s final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations have previously worn the jerseys of French youth and junior teams before choosing to represent Algeria internationally?
When Algeria’s coach, Djamel Belmadi, announced the preliminary squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, 17 players out of 50 had previously represented France.
FilGoal.com takes you on a journey exploring the close connection between France and Algeria, both politically and in the realm of football.
The Algerian national anthem includes a passage that says, “Oh France, the time for reproach has passed, we have folded it as one folds a book. Oh France, if this is the day of reckoning, be prepared and take our response. In our revolution, we have decided to let Algeria live. So, bear witness.”
In mid-2023, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune reintroduced this passage into the national anthem after its removal from school books in 2007 for political reasons.
The French were uneasy about this passage, feeling it carried a tone of threat and animosity, referencing the Algerian rebels who once vowed against France during years of colonization.
However, the Algerian presidency issued a presidential decree stating that the Algerian national anthem would be played in its entirety at official events after being omitted since 1986 to avoid political embarrassment between Algeria and France.
A nation with a million martyrs endured 132 years of French colonization before gaining independence in 1962 after significant sacrifices.
Looking at the Algerian national team, some of its standout stars have previously worn the French jersey:
– Adam Ounas played for the French under-20 team before representing Algeria.
– Houssem Aouar progressed through French national teams, eventually playing for the senior team, then changed his sporting nationality.
There’s also Sofiane Feghouli, who played for the French under-18 and under-21 teams.
Anthony Mandrea, the current goalkeeper for Algeria, played for the French under-18 team, while Yasser Laroussi wore the French under-21 jersey.
Ismail Bennacer, a star for AC Milan and Algeria, played for the French under-18 and under-19 teams.
Goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi appeared in the jerseys of the French under-17 and under-18 teams, and full-back Ryad Ait Nouri played for the French under-18 and under-21 teams. Nabil Bentaleb represented the French under-19 team.
One of the recent converts from representing France to Algeria is Amin Gouiri, who played for all French youth teams.
Players excluded from the initial squad, such as Boudaoui, Ghezzal, Delort, Guedioura, Brahimi, and Bounedjah, all share this French-Algerian football history.
This Franco-Algerian contingent carries the hopes of the Greens in their quest to regain the title won by Senegal in 2021.
The Road to Côte d’Ivoire
Algeria qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations from Group 6 with 16 points, winning five out of six matches and drawing once.
The Desert Warriors started the qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Uganda in Algeria, followed by a 2-1 win against Tanzania away.
They continued their positive results by defeating Niger 2-1 both home and away.
Algeria secured qualification early with a 2-1 victory against Uganda away and ended the qualifying phase with a goalless draw against Tanzania.
Algeria and the Africa Cup of Nations
This marks Algeria’s 20th participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, having won the title twice in 1990 (hosted in Algeria) and 2019 (in Egypt). The team also secured a second-place finish in Nigeria in 1980 and achieved third place twice in Ivory Coast in 1984 and Morocco in 1988.
Overall, Algeria played 77 matches in the tournament’s history, winning 28, drawing 22, and losing 27. They scored 94 goals and conceded 89.
The Secret of the Title
The Desert Foxes, as the Algerian national team is known, earned their nickname due to the vast Algerian Sahara, which occupies the majority of the country. The title also reflects the cunning and intelligence associated with foxes.
The Desert Warriors is another moniker for the Algerian national team, an attempt to motivate Algerian players.
The team is also nicknamed “The Greens” in reference to the green color present in Algeria’s flag.
Youth Under the Wing of Veterans
The Algerian national team relies on a mix of experienced players who won the 2019 title, including Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani, Sofiane Feghouli, Baghdad Bounedjah, Youssef Belaili, and Raïs M’Bolhi.
Coach Djamel Belmadi aims to create a blend of youth and experience, introducing players like Farid Chaib, Ramiz Zerrouki, Rayane Ait Nouri, Hicham Boudaoui, Mohamed Amine Amoura, and Amin Gouiri.
A Tricky Group
Algeria finds itself in a group of 24 teams heading to Côte d’Ivoire for the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February. The last edition left a pale impression as the defending champions exited the tournament in the group stage without scoring a goal.
The draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations placed Algeria in a challenging group that demands focus from the very first match. The Desert Warriors will face Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola in Côte d’Ivoire.
Algeria kicks off its quest for the title against Angola in the group stage opener on Monday, January 15, at 10:00 PM (Egypt time). They will then face Burkina Faso on the following Saturday at 4:00 PM and conclude the group stage against Mauritania on Tuesday, January 23, at 10:00 PM.
Considering the fixture sequence, any negative result in the first match against Angola and a potential stumble against Burkina Faso could jeopardize Algeria’s hopes early in the tournament or leave them in third place, awaiting results from other groups to determine their fate.
Or will the Algerian national team shine brightly, as hinted by coach Djamel Belmadi’s statement that his team is not among the favorites for the title?
