Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi will remain at the head of the Fennecs until 2026, the president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), Djahid Zefizef, announced on Friday, ending a controversy which gave him away.
“Djamel Belmadi has indeed signed the amendment to his four-year contract, ie until 2026” , declared Mr. Zefizef, specifying that it is “a commitment which concerns the national coach as well as his staff”.
“We have set clear goals for him for the next two African Cups of Nations,” he added.
Arrived at the head of the Algerian selection in August 2018, Belmadi, 46, was praised after winning the CAN 2019 in Egypt, becoming “the minister of happiness” for Algerians.
But after the elimination of the Fennecs from CAN 2022, followed by the inability of the Algerian team to validate its ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, many analysts had questioned its choices.
He was at the center of a vast campaign on social networks and in certain media which demanded his departure.
“Belmadi is currently focused on his work, and does not pay attention to what is being said, nor to the criticisms launched about him lately”, added the boss of the FAF in response to his detractors.
