January 24, 2024, 18:12 GMT
Updated 24 minutes ago
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Djamel Belmadi has managed Algeria since 2018 and led them to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title
Algeria has parted ways with coach Djamel Belmadi and Jalel Kadri has resigned as Tunisia coach after both countries were eliminated in the group stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Belmadi's exit came a day after the Desert Foxes' shock 1-0 defeat to Mauritania, meaning the 2019 winners in Ivory Coast finished bottom of Group D.
“My mission at the head of the Tunisian national team is now over,” Kadri is said to have said.
Kadri was appointed after the 2021 Afcon finals and the 52-year-old led the Carthage Eagles to qualification for the 2022 World Cup, where the North Africans were eliminated in the group stages.
Their departures are the latest in a notable series of coaching departures in the ongoing finals in West Africa.
Belmadi leaves Algeria after “bitter departure”
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Algeria suffered multiple group stage eliminations from the African Cup of Nations finals
Paris-born Belmadi captained Algeria at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations and coached his country to the Afcon title in Egypt in 2019.
But their defense of the trophy two years ago in Cameroon was short-lived as their 35-game unbeaten streak came to an end and the North Africans finished bottom of their group.
Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian Football Association, said in a series of messages posted on X that the 2023 Afcon campaign ended with a “bitter exit.”
“I met with Djamel and we mutually agreed to dissolve the club,” said Sadi.
“We thank Djamel for everything he has done for the team and wish him the best of luck for the rest of his career.”
“We apologize to the fans of the national team and the Algerian people after working hard and creating ideal conditions for our players to shine.”
Just three months after an early exit from the 2021 finals, Algeria also failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, losing on away goals in a play-off against Cameroon after conceding a last-minute goal in the second leg at home.
But Belmadi persevered and Les Verts had the best record of any team in qualifying for the 2023 finals.
Sadi said there would be “a real revolution” to restore Algeria’s position “continentally and internationally.”
“We promise to correct the mistakes of the past with one goal: to put the train back on track and renew the days of glory and victories for Algerian football,” he added.
Kadri gives up after failing to achieve her goal
video caption,
Afcon 2023: South Africa 0-0 Tunisia – Highlights
Kadri took over permanently after Tunisia's quarter-final exit at Afcon 2021, replacing Mondher Kebaier.
When the Carthage Eagles failed to make it past the group stage at the 2022 World Cup despite a surprise win against then-defending champions France, he offered to resign.
However, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) rejected this and instead extended his contract for another twelve months.
The North Africans finished bottom of their group in Ivory Coast, suffering a shock 1-0 defeat against Namibia before drawing against South Africa and Mali.
After the draw against South Africa, Kadri said his contract would automatically expire because Tunisia failed to reach the semi-finals, which is the FTF's minimum requirement.
When asked if he had officially resigned, Kadri replied: “That is my decision and it is in my contract.”
Kadri said he took full responsibility for Tunisia's disappointing end to the election campaign.
“The defeat against Namibia in the first game took a toll on us psychologically and we shouldn’t have lost,” he said.
“We improved against Mali and against South Africa, but we were not efficient in attack.”
Comments are closed.