Now I know everyone is against me – Rabah Madjer

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Apr 01, 2018. 10:00

Algeria coach Rabah Madjer has broken his silence following the March international friendlies and claims that he is fighting an uphill battle against negative perceptions of him and the team.

The Fennec Foxes were in action twice during the recent international window, defeating Tanzania 4-1 in Algiers and losing 2-1 to Iran in Graz, Austria. The latter defeat was the first suffered under Madjer since he succeeded Lucas Alcaraz in October last year.

The Algerian team has received mostly negative coverage from their own media, with speculation over a rift in the dressing room and criticism in regards to their style of play.

Madjer has rallied against this negativity, particularly in the wake of the loss to Iran, a team which showed their class by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

“It [the criticism] is aimed at dismissing me, it is a companion orchestrated against my person," Madjer is quoted by Le Buteur.

"We had a great match against a good Iranian team. Some forget that Iran will play the World Cup and has qualified hands down in their group.

“In addition, it was a friendly match, I wanted to give the chance to everyone and I think we deserved at least the draw, so I do not know why this whole campaign of destabilization, after a first defeat following four victories.

“Now, I know that everyone is against me, except Allah Soubhanou, who is with me.”

Algeria will next be in action in early June when they face Portugal in a pre-World Cup friendly.