Algerian football in 2023: mixed results and disparate events
Algerian football experienced a varied year in terms of results, both at the national team and local club levels.
At the helm was coach Djamel Belmadi, whose team, the “Greens,” saw 2023 as an opportunity to regain prominence after a lackluster 2022, which stood as one of the worst years in the history of the Algerian national team.
The disastrous performance in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon marked a low point for Algerian football in 2023, with an early exit from the tournament, followed by a shocking elimination against Cameroon in the qualification for the 2022 World Cup hosted by Qatar.
However, the year 2023 witnessed a significant improvement in the performance of the Algerian national team, both in terms of technical and organizational aspects.
In the remaining days of this year, the team, led by captain Riyad Mahrez, has not suffered any defeat after participating in numerous crucial matches, whether friendly or in the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup.
Additionally, they performed well in the first and second rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, indicating positive signs for a successful African campaign in Ivory Coast next month.
In 2023, the Algerian national team played 10 matches, securing 7 victories and 3 draws.
It’s noteworthy that the last defeat for the team was in November 2022 against the Swedish national team in a friendly match in Malmo.
Coach Djamel Belmadi made stringent decisions in 2023 regarding the rejuvenation of the Algerian national team to overcome the failures of the previous year.
This included bringing in several young talents from French football academies, notably Fares Chaib, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, as well as Badr Benoun and Amin Gouiri.
Other additions included Yasser Laaroussi and Hossam Awaar, a star from AS Roma, among others.
Turning to the results of the national teams in 2023, Algeria hosted the Africa Cup of Nations for local players at the beginning of the year.
The team, under former coach Majid Bougherra, secured the second position after Senegal.
Additionally, the under-17 and under-23 teams failed to shine in the corresponding Africa Cup of Nations categories, with the under-23 team disappointing in the Arab Games despite being held on home soil.
In the realm of local clubs, USM Alger, under the distinguished coach Abdelhak Benchikha, made a remarkable impact in 2023.
The club clinched the African Confederation Cup title against Tanzania’s Young Africans and also secured victory in the African Super Cup against Egypt’s Al Ahly.
Furthermore, USM Alger continues its impressive performance in the ongoing competition, securing qualification for the quarterfinals.
Locally, MC Alger made a strong comeback in the league during the year, putting them in contention for the title absent from the club’s records since 2010.
The team reinforced its squad with significant international players, such as Youssef Belaili, Djamel Benlamri, and Mehdi Zerkane.
Additionally, heavyweights like Rais M’bolhi, Adlane Guedioura, and Hussein Benayada joined Youth Belouizdad before the start of the current season, marking a year of the return of Algerian football stars to the local league.
In 2023, a new president, Walid Sadi, was elected for the Algerian Football Federation.
Sadi faces the task of completing the Olympic term, which will continue until 2025.
However, the year ended on a somber note for Algerian football with the tragic traffic accident involving the Mouloudia El Bayadh bus, resulting in the death of a player and a coach’s assistant, casting a shadow over the sport.
