Algeria will not make it to the round of 16 in the 2023 AFCON. Djamel Belmadi’s men were eliminated on Tuesday night by Mauritania. A defeat that was hard to swallow for some supporters present in Bouaké.
Mauritania adopted a grouped strategy focused on counter-attacks in their clash against Algeria, a tactic that proved successful with Dellahi opening the scoring at the 37th minute from a corner. Instead of just celebrating a victory, the Mourabitounes held on to a similarly historic qualification at halftime. Despite Mahrez coming into play for the Fennecs, it was the Mauritanians who continued to stand out, putting the Algerian defense in difficulty with two consecutive corners.
Algeria Powerless Against Mauritania
Algeria seeks to react, but the Algerian block is disjointed and too slow to disturb the Mauritanian collective. The Mourabitounes, rather than waiting, attempt to aggress the Fennecs, with Koïta showing particular agility, although his conclusion lacked precision in the 56th minute.
Unable to disturb Mauritania in the game, the Algerians turn to set pieces. However, lacking sharpness, they face difficulties, and Ba comes close to doubling the lead, but his shot hits Mandrea’s crossbar in the 83rd minute. Despite the referee granting eleven long minutes for the Algerians to recover, it seems the match could have lasted 111 more minutes without changing the result in favor of Mauritania.
After this defeat, several Algerian supporters expressed their discontent. “Tomorrow, I won’t go to work because I don’t feel well. I believe the discomfort extends to all Algerians, whether they are from Marseille, Lyon, or all of France,” says a supporter. The new failure of the Fennecs, eliminated in the first round of the 2023 AFCON, evokes deep emotions. A few moments after the decisive defeat against Mauritania on Tuesday night (0-1), an Algerian supporter expresses his sadness and anger on the After Foot show on RMC.
Algeria’s elimination in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations even caused tensions in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. Fans gathered outside the Algerian delegation’s hotel after the defeat against Mauritania (1-0) to express their anger and demand the resignation of coach Djamel Belmadi by chanting “Belmadi, get out.”
Assault on Algeria’s Team Hotel
Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian Football Federation, listened to their grievances, particularly the demand for the coach’s departure. Upon the arrival of players and staff, escorted by security, some fans tried to enter the establishment, causing tensions. One individual was forcefully turned away by the military, while another briefly entered the premises before being expelled in an extremely tense atmosphere.
Algerian fans sought to enter the Algerian delegation’s hotel to express their dissatisfaction with the FA president, the players, and Djamel Belmadi. These scenes apparently moved Djamel Belmadi, according to El Marma media. According to information from Walid Acherchour on the After Foot show on RMC, the coach would have announced his resignation to the players after the match. Despite the victory in the 2019 AFCON, the former player of OM and PSG faces two successive failures, being eliminated in the group stage in 2022 and 2024.
He did not confirm this information publicly, leaving a significant doubt. “When we go back home, we’ll see,” he said. “For the second time, we are out, and I fully accept this situation.” Asked about a possible end to the cycle, he replied, “Maybe, yes.”
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