Brahim Hemdani appointed Algeria interim manager after Vladimir Petkovic exit

The Algerian Football Federation has appointed former international Brahim Hemdani as interim manager of the national team following the departure of Switzerland’s Vladimir Petkovic.

Petkovic left his position after Algeria were eliminated in the round of 32 at the World Cup. The federation confirmed Hemdani’s appointment in an official statement, naming a coaching team that will oversee the side’s next fixtures.

Hemdani will be assisted by former Algeria defender Antar Yahia. Nasser Daineche has been appointed fitness coach, while Nasreddine Berarma will work as goalkeeping coach.

The new interim management team faces its first competitive test in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying later this month. Algeria are scheduled to play Zambia on 25 September before meeting Burundi four days later, on 29 September.

They will then host Niger in a friendly on 6 October as preparations continue for their upcoming commitments.

Algeria are in Group I of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign alongside Zambia, Togo and Burundi. The matches against Zambia and Burundi will therefore be particularly important as the team seeks to progress through the group under a new coaching structure.

Hemdani, 48, brings experience from both the international and club game. During his playing career, he represented French clubs Caen, Strasbourg and Marseille, as well as Scottish side Rangers.

He retired from playing in 2009 before moving into coaching. Hemdani subsequently managed French clubs Marignane Gignac and Courbevoie, and later took charge of Algeria’s youth national team.

His appointment marks a return to the senior national side in a temporary managerial role at a time of change for Algerian football. The federation’s announcement confirmed the full structure of the coaching staff, with Hemdani supported by Yahia, Daineche and Berarma for the fixtures ahead.

The immediate focus will be on the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zambia and Burundi, followed by the friendly against Niger in October. Иара