Algerian National Team for AFCON: historic milestones and statistics
Algerian national team coach, Djamel Belmadi, unveiled the squad on Friday that will travel to Ivory Coast to participate in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The tournament, scheduled from January 13 to February 11, will see the Greens competing in Group D alongside Burkina Faso, Angola, and Mauritania.
In a departure from the past, a significant portion of Algeria’s fanbase, expressed agreement via social media on the merit of the names summoned by Belmadi for the continental extravaganza.
The squad, consisting of 26 players, blends experienced figures who have participated in previous AFCON editions with young talents experiencing the grandeur of Africa’s premier tournament for the first time.
The list, as expected, includes the return of goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi, absent from recent matches, and Islam Slimani, despite his exploits in the Brazilian league.
Slimani has managed to maintain his standing with Algeria’s coach, Djamel Belmadi.
This veteran duo has an opportunity to etch their names in history during AFCON in Ivory Coast.
If they play, M’Bolhi and Slimani will become the most capped Algerian players in the history of the tournament with six appearances, matching the legendary Rabah Madjer and former international defender, Mahieddine Meftah.
Both M’Bolhi and Slimani made their AFCON debut in 2013 in South Africa, continuing through the previous edition in Cameroon.
Their wealth of experience positions them well to guide their younger counterparts, particularly the young goalkeeper from Paradou AC, who is likely to serve as a backup to the French-based Anthony Mandanda.
Belmadi’s squad also features nine players who were starters in the 2019 edition in Egypt when Algeria clinched the AFCON title.
These players include M’Bolhi, Youcef Atal, Issa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Ismaël Bennacer, and captain Riyad Mahrez.
Additionally, Youssef Belaïli and Baghdad Bounedjah are part of the contingent, excluding Djamel Benlamri and Adlène Guedioura, who have been absent from the national team since last year.
On the flip side, 11 players will experience their first AFCON, led by goalkeeper Anthony Mandanda and his teammate Oussama Ben Bot, right-back Kevin Ghezzal, Yasser Larouci, Amin Tougaï, Ryan Aït Nouri, defender Ahmed Touba, and Zinedine Belaïd.
There are also debutants who will vie for their first continental competition with the Algerian national team, such as Houssem Aouar, Farès Chaïbi, and striker Amin Gouri.
The eclectic mix of experience and fresh talent in Algeria’s AFCON squad has stirred excitement among fans, and expectations are high for the team to replicate or surpass their 2019 success.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on the Greens, eager to see if this blend of seasoned campaigners and rising stars can script another chapter of glory in Algerian football history.
