Algeria coach resigns after AFCON exit

Algeria coach resigns after AFCON exit

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi has resigned after his team’s second straight group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Algerian Football Federation president Wali Sadi said Wednesday that he has agreed to end Belmadi’s contract following Tuesday’s “bitter elimination” from the tournament.

“I met with Belmadi to discuss the reasons behind the early exit, and we mutually agreed to terminate his contract.”

“We thank coach Djamel Belmadi for everything he did for the team and wish him good luck in the rest of his career,” Sadi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Algerian team suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat against Mauritania, resulting in them finishing at the bottom of their group with two points from two draws.

Belmadi took charge of the Algerian team in August 2018 and guided them to victory in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt.

However, the team has struggled in subsequent editions, finishing at the bottom of their group for two consecutive tournaments.

In addition, they failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, being eliminated on the away goals rule after conceding a last-minute goal at home to Cameroon in a play-off match.

Belmadi is the fourth coaching casualty in a matter of hours at the tournament after Gambia’s Tom Saintfiet quit and then Ghana announced the sacking of Chris Hughton as well as Elephants coach Jean-Louis Gasset.