Hocine Larfi takes charge of Algeria Under-20s before key North African tournament

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has appointed Hocine Larfi as head coach of the national Under-20 team, with the 39-year-old set to lead the side in a crucial Union of North African Football (UNAF) tournament in Egypt.

Larfi’s promotion was confirmed on the margins of Saturday’s meeting of the FAF Federal Bureau. Several sources reported the decision, including the news channels Echorouk News and AL24News.

He had previously worked as an assistant coach with Algeria’s youth teams, first under Razik Nedder and later under Brahim Hemdani. Larfi will now take over the technical leadership of the Under-20 side from Hemdani, who has been promoted to coach Algeria’s senior national team ahead of the next international window.

The former Algeria midfielder won two caps for the senior side during his playing career. His first matches in his new position will come between 24 September and 6 October, when Algeria compete in the UNAF Under-20 tournament in Ismailia, Egypt.

The competition will provide Algeria with the opportunity to push for qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 tournament, which is scheduled to be held in Ghana.

Algeria will begin their campaign against Tunisia on 24 September. They will then face Libya on 27 September, Morocco on 30 September and hosts Egypt on 6 October.

The tournament represents an important opportunity for Larfi and his players, with Algeria having failed to reach the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 since the 2013 edition, which was staged on home soil.

That campaign ended in disappointment. The team, coached at the time by Frenchman Jean-Marc Nobilo, failed to progress beyond the group stage and finished bottom of their section without recording a victory. Algeria collected one draw and suffered two defeats.

Larfi therefore begins his tenure with the immediate task of guiding the team through a demanding regional tournament featuring Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Egypt. Success in Ismailia would give Algeria a route back to the continental finals after a long absence.

His appointment also marks a quick change in the structure of Algeria’s youth setup. Having served under both Nedder and Hemdani, Larfi now steps into the leading role as Hemdani moves up to take charge of the senior national team.

The new Under-20 coach will have his first opportunity to shape the team during a tightly scheduled tournament that runs from 24 September to 6 October. Algeria’s opening match against Tunisia will set the tone for their bid to qualify for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 in Ghana.