Jamel Belmadi, the coach of Algeria, has ruled his team out of the contenders for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Algerian national team finds itself in Group D alongside Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola.
During a press conference, Belmadi stated, “The teams considered favorites for the Africa Cup of Nations are Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and others.”
He emphasized that Algeria, having exited the previous edition in the group stage without a single victory, cannot be considered among the frontrunners.
The two-time African champions, in 1990 and 2019, faced disappointment in the 2021 edition, failing to progress beyond the group stage.
Belmadi acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the tournament, saying, “No one can predict the winner of this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, as some teams may spring surprises.”
Despite not being touted as favorites, Belmadi expressed high ambitions for Algeria in the upcoming tournament.
He pledged a calm and serious approach, similar to their efforts in past years, with the hope of achieving the maximum possible success.
In a notable return, Ismael Bennacer is set to lead the midfield for the Algerian national team in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, having recovered from injury.
Coach Belmadi announced the participation of the Les Fennecs in the competition scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast in January and February 2024.
Bennacer, who recently played for AC Milan after recovering from the injury he sustained at the end of the previous season, will join a 26-player squad.
This includes Youssef Atal, despite his suspension from OGC Nice in France for supporting the Palestinian cause.
The squad also sees the return of veteran players Rais M’Bolhi and Zinedine Ferhat.
However, Andy Delort of Al-Sailiya in Qatar, Said Benrahma of West Ham United in England, Adam Zorgane, Badr Benoun, and Mohamed Beloumi are notable absentees.
Islam Slimani, the all-time leading goal scorer for the national team, who currently plays for Coritiba in Brazil, is the only player in the tournament representing a team from South America.
Key players such as Riyad Mahrez of Al-Ahli Jeddah, Baghdad Bounedjah of Al-Sadd, and Youssef Belaïli of MC Alger are also included in the squad, emphasizing the team’s reliance on its core players.
The announced squad for Algeria:
Goalkeepers: Anthony Mandera (Cannes, France) – Rais M’Bolhi (CR Belouizdad) – Oussama Benbot (Union Algiers).
Defenders: Youssef Atal (OGC Nice, France) – Kevin Gneto (Metz, France) – Ryad Ait Nouri (Wolverhampton, England) – Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United, England) – Issa Mandi (Villarreal, Spain) – Mohamed Amin Tougai (Esperance Tunis, Tunisia) – Ahmed Touba (Lecce, Italy) – Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) – Zinedine Belaïd (Union Sportive Algiers).
Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Lille, France) – Sofiane Feghouli (Fathi Karagümrük, Turkey) – Houssem Aouar (Roma, Italy) – Farid Chaib (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany) – Ramiz Zerkane (Feyenoord, Netherlands) – Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice, France) – Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan, Italy).
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) – Adam Ounas (OGC Nice, France) – Mohamed Amoura (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium) – Amin Gouiri (Stade Rennais, France) – Youssef Belaïli (MC Alger) – Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Sadd, Qatar) – Islam Slimani (Coritiba, Brazil).
