One year ago, Algeria suffered a shocking early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania in Bouaké, Ivory Coast.
The loss ended the team’s campaign in the group stage, a far cry from their triumphant AFCON victory in 2019.
Algeria entered the decisive match with two points from draws against Angola (1-1) and Burkina Faso (2-2).
A single point against Mauritania would have been enough to secure a place in the round of 16.
However, Djamel Belmadi’s side was undone by a goal from Mauritanian defender Yaly Dellahi just before half-time, capitalizing on a loose ball in the penalty area.
Despite their best efforts, the Algerians failed to recover in the second half, leaving supporters devastated.
The defeat marked a low point for Algeria, compounding frustrations after a last-place finish in the 2021 AFCON group stage and their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The fallout was swift and dramatic. The day after the elimination, Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), announced via social media the “amicable” termination of Belmadi’s contract.
However, Belmadi rejected this claim, asserting he had not been consulted and accusing the FAF of mishandling the situation.
Belmadi, once hailed as a national hero for leading Algeria to their 2019 AFCON title, became a divisive figure.
Critics accused him of failing to evolve the team, while supporters defended his achievements.
Amid the controversy, Belmadi reportedly sought €7 million in compensation for the premature termination of his contract, which was initially set to run until 2026.
By February 2024, the FAF appointed Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic as Belmadi’s successor.
However, the dispute between Belmadi and the federation remains unresolved.
Nadir Bouzenad, FAF’s secretary general, declined to provide clarity on the issue during a televised interview, leaving questions about the fallout unanswered.
The events of 2023 continue to resonate in Algerian football, a painful reminder of how swiftly fortunes can change.
For many, the controversy surrounding Belmadi’s exit overshadows what should have been a period of rebuilding for the Greens.
