World Cup 2026: Chérif Oudjani calls on Algeria to respond before crucial Jordan clash

Former Algeria striker urges mental and collective response after Argentina defeat

Chérif Oudjani has called on Algeria to show a strong response against Jordan following the Fennecs’ disappointing defeat to Argentina, insisting the team must quickly recover from a setback that exposed both tactical and psychological shortcomings.

The former striker, who scored the winning goal in Algeria’s victorious 1990 Africa Cup of Nations final campaign, believes the national team struggled mentally against the reigning world champions.

In his assessment, Algeria paid a heavy price for showing too much respect to both Argentina and Lionel Messi during the match.

Speaking about the performance, Oudjani admitted he was “a little disappointed” by what he saw from the Algerian side.

According to the former international, preparation for a match of such magnitude extends beyond tactics and technical ability.

He suggested that some players may have been affected by the stature of their opponents, preventing them from performing at their usual level.

Oudjani also referred to an incident involving Messi during the game.

He argued that another player might have been dismissed for a similar action, a decision that could have significantly altered the course of the contest.

VAR, the Video Assistant Referee system, is used to review certain major decisions during matches.

Focus turns to Jordan

Oudjani refuses to single out individuals

Despite his disappointment, Oudjani was careful not to place responsibility on specific players.

Instead, he viewed the result as a collective failure and stressed the importance of unity within the squad.

Speaking to Africafoot, he said he had no interest in comparing players or assigning blame, emphasising that every member of the team represents the same national colours.

For Oudjani, the priority now is ensuring the team learns from the defeat and directs its attention towards the next challenge.

He believes Algeria still has a clear opportunity to recover against Jordan, a side he considers beatable for the Fennecs.

The former striker’s message was straightforward: one disappointing result should not define Algeria’s tournament, but a second poor display could have much greater consequences.

Mental strength will be decisive

Oudjani repeatedly returned to the psychological side of football when discussing Algeria’s situation.

He argued that elite teams are often defined by their ability to react after setbacks rather than by avoiding defeats altogether.

To support his point, he highlighted the example of Kylian Mbappé, whom he described as a player capable of responding to criticism through his performances on the pitch.

He also pointed to Argentina’s World Cup campaign in 2022, recalling how the eventual champions recovered after losing their opening match before turning their tournament around.

In Oudjani’s view, Algeria now finds itself facing a similar test of character.

While unexpected defeats can happen in football, he believes the team cannot afford another disappointing performance.

Talent must be matched by results

Algeria’s squad has the quality, says Oudjani

From a footballing perspective, Oudjani remains convinced that Algeria possesses enough quality to compete successfully.

He pointed to the presence of players representing major European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Marseille.

He also referenced Riyad Mahrez, widely recognised as one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers.

However, he warned that reputation and talent alone will not be enough.

For Oudjani, Algeria has reached a pivotal stage in its campaign.

The squad’s ability must now be reflected in its performances on the pitch, starting with the match against Jordan.

The former striker believes the ingredients for a response are already within the team.

The challenge now is to transform potential into results and demonstrate that the defeat to Argentina was merely a setback rather than the beginning of a wider problem.