Algeria’s national team captain Riyad Mahrez has penned a poignant message to his former coach, Djamel Belmadi, weeks after parting ways with the national squad.
Belmadi’s departure from the Algerian team came after they bid farewell to the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 in the group stage for the second consecutive time following the 2021 edition.
Expressing his sentiments, Belmadi tweeted: “Thank you for everything Djamel Belmadi.
Merci pour tout Djamel. Malgré cet échec à la dernière CAN, on oubliera jamais celle en Égypte, la 2ème étoile que tu as ramené au pays et les 35 matchs sans défaite. Je n’oublierai pas non plus tout le travail acharné que tu as fais durant ces 6 années et surtout l’amour que tu… pic.twitter.com/Wnypln0sQn
— Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) March 7, 2024
Despite the recent disappointment at the Africa Cup of Nations, we will never forget the title we secured in Egypt in 2019, and the unbeaten streak of 35 matches.”
He continued, “I will also not forget all the hard work you put in over these past six years, especially the love you showed for the Algerian flag.
Everything you did was aimed at bringing joy to the Algerian people.
Thank you, my brother.”
Belmadi took charge of Algeria in August 2018 and led the Desert Warriors to clinch the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2019 for the second time in the nation’s history.
However, Belmadi’s tenure faced a setback when Algeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a defeat against Cameroon in the final stage of African qualifiers.
During his tenure, Belmadi managed Algeria in 67 matches, securing victory in 43 games, drawing 17 times, and suffering defeat on seven occasions.
Under his guidance, the Algerian team scored 142 goals while conceding 53.
Recently, the Algerian Football Federation appointed Vladimir Petkovic, a Bosnian, as Belmadi’s successor.
Petkovic, aged 60, was introduced to the media by the Algerian Football Federation in a press conference.
Algeria, under Petkovic’s leadership, will play their first matches against Bolivia and South Africa in the upcoming international break.
Vladimir Petkovic has been away from coaching duties for two years since February 2022, following the conclusion of his tenure with French club Bordeaux.
It’s worth noting that Petkovic previously coached the Swiss national team from 2014 to 2021.
