Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi exits after AFCON elimination

Algeria sacked their coach Djamel Belmadi, on Wednesday after the two-time winners crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Belmadi’s tenure ended prematurely after Tuesday’s shock loss to Mauritania in their final group game in the Ivory Coast.

Algeria were also knocked out of the 2021 finals at the group stage.

“I met with Djamel and we reached an amicable agreement to dissolve the association,” Walid Sadi, president of Algeria’s football federation, said.

“We thank Djamel for everything he did for the team and wish him good luck in the rest of his career.”

Sadi added their tournament had ended with “a bitter exit” in a series of messages posted on X.

“We apologise to the fans of the national team and the Algerian people after we worked hard and provided ideal conditions for our players to shine,” he added.

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Algeria won their second AFCON title in Egypt in 2019 but were then sent packing in the group stage at the last edition in Cameroon two years ago with just one point and one goal scored.

This campaign has been equally miserable for Belmadi’s team, who drew their first two matches in Group D against Angola and Burkina Faso but would have qualified for the knockout phase with a point against Mauritania in Bouake.