Algeria has officially severed ties with coach Djamel Belmadi, just a day after their disheartening departure from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Desert Foxes’ unexpected 1-0 defeat to Mauritania on Tuesday resulted in a last-place finish in Group D, marking a bitter end to their AFCON campaign.
Considering their premature exit at the group stage in the 2021 finals, this comes as a blow.
Belmadi, 47, who assumed coaching responsibilities in August 2018, had inked a contract extension just a year ago, securing his position until 2026.
A former captain for Algeria during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, Belmadi led the team to victory in 2019 in Egypt, achieving a remarkable 35-match unbeaten run—an African record.
However, their defense of the title in Cameroon in 2021 proved disappointing as they finished at the bottom of their group.
Subsequently, their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup added to the challenges, with a heartbreaking loss to Cameroon in a play-off.
Despite these setbacks, Belmadi continued at the helm, and Algeria exhibited an impressive performance in the qualifiers for the 2023 finals.
Yet, after draws with Angola and Burkina Faso, the team faced emotional turmoil following the defeat to Mauritania.
The decision to part ways with Belmadi reflects the gravity of Algeria’s recent football struggles.
The hunt for a new coach begins as they seek to revitalize their footballing fortunes and overcome the setbacks of recent tournaments.
