Djamel Belmadi has enjoyed tremendous success since becoming Algeria coach in 2018, winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2019 in an impressive streak of 33 consecutive games without defeat. Belmadi has become an icon in a politically turbulent Algeria – so expectations are very high as they travel to Cameroon for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Algeria were at their lowest when Belmadi took over in September 2018. After peaking by reaching the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup, they slipped into turmoil – having known six coaches in five years and left the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the World Cup. group stage.
He came with my past and restored order. “He changed his mind. Mehdi Dahak, director of the publication of Algerian football site DZfoot, told France 24 that there had been a lot of problems in the locker room before his arrival – so he sacked players he deemed essential and re-energized the ‘team. with talent.
For example, [Qatar Sports Club’s] Jamal Benlamri has become crucial at the center of the defense; Youssef Balili [who also plays at Qatar Sports Club] He suffered a few mistakes in his career, but he is the offensive force of the team. [Manchester City star] Riyad Mahrez can score anytime, but Bally is the real strength.
Former Marseille player Belmadi quickly imposed his principles of rigor, candor and discipline on Algeria – the national team he chose over France after being raised by Algerian parents in the Paris suburb of Champaigne-sur-Marne.
“It was a good choice to choose Algeria at this stage,” said Dahak. “In the early 2000s, a few Franco-Algerian players chose Algeria. Relations between CAF, clubs and players were worse than today. Belmadi was one of the few players to join an African team. ”
“He’s asking the same as his players now – you can’t be half and half outside. That’s why when [Nice striker] Andy Delors gave his club priority over the Africa Cup of Nations, and Belmadi got none.
Belmadi started as a midfielder at Paris Saint-Germain in the mid-1990s, but has only appeared once for the Parisians in a season. The peak of his footballing career was a period at Marseille from 1999 to 2003, as a tactically intelligent attacking midfielder with a subtle touch on the ball.
However, Belmadi gained a reputation for his stormy temperament thanks to two incidents in March 2001 – the first when he threw away his Algerian jersey in response to his substitution in a landslide loss to Egypt. And secondly, when his coaches threw Marseille supporters into the stands, expressing their anger at the club’s deteriorating performance.
Belmadi reinvented himself as a manager shortly after his retirement – starting his coaching career in Qatar, a key location for football’s growth over the past decade and a special incubator for Algerian talent. Belmadi started at Lekhwiya (since renamed Al Duhail) from 2010 to 2012. Over the next two years, Belmadi managed Qatar B before joining the Qatar national team in 2014.
Very quickly, he becomes an official presence: “Very sympathetic to his players off the field, but not too sympathetic when they play there”, as Dahak described his approach.
‘double-edged sword’
Belmadi has done wonders in handling a similar tight ship once he took over Algeria in 2018. “He is professional, demanding and never lets anything go” – although he has “calmed down a bit”. little ”since playing a career, said Diehq.
Algeria won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Senegal 1-0 in the final – the Aliou Cissé team, who grew up a few kilometers from Belmadi in Champaigny-sur-Marne.
Since then, Algeria has continued its momentum, setting this record in 33 games unbeaten. Not only do they fantasize about winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon again, but Algeria entered Qatar’s 2022 World Cup qualifying third round in glitter. Dahkh said performing well in the World Cup was Belmadi’s “real goal”.
“Everything is going well for Belmadi,” Dahkh continued. “He’s more popular than the president [Abdelmadjid Tebboune]. ”
In fact, Belmadi made himself more in love with many Algerians by supporting him. mobilityIt is the popular movement that has been seeking since 2019 to suppress what they call force (Power) – a mysterious association of politicians, government officials, businessmen and military figures who, as they say, have long ruled Algeria in their favor.
As for football, Algeria has an “incredible dynamism” to its advantage, according to Dahak. But he warned that high expectations are a “double-edged sword”.
“Algeria will probably be their worst enemy in Cameroon – it’s difficult to enter the tournament as a favorite.”
When they traveled to Egypt for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Belmadi was keen to lower expectations so that any Algerian success was a positive surprise – an approach he took, to say the least. one could say. But this time around there is no chance of using this strategy with Algerian football fans as they expect their team’s steadfast form to endure.
This article is adapted from the original French text.
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