Algeria’s Belkebla axed from AFCON squad for bizarre reason

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Jun 13, 2019. 12:14

Algeria’s Haris Belkebla has been axed from their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad in bizarre circumstances.

Just nine days before the kick-off of the tournament in Egypt, the 25-year-old was kicked out of the Fennec Foxes’ camp for baring his buttocks on a Fortnite live stream to thousands of viewers.

Algerian goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja was playing the popular game and was broadcasting his match on streaming platform Twitch.

In the background of the picture, Belkebla pulled down his trousers and showed off his backside – a funny act at the time, but when the incident started to trend on social media, it was only a matter of time until it came back to haunt the player.

When Algeria manager Djamel Belmadi was informed of Belkebla’s behaviour, he took the decision to cut the player from his 23-man squad. He has since been replaced by Mohamed Benkhemassa.

Belkebla is uncapped at senior international level and his call-up for Algeria’s AFCON preparations was his first for the Fennec Foxes.

He had even performed in an initiation ceremony after joining up with the squad.

The player had previously represented his country at the 2016 Olympics and at U-23 level. He plays for French cub Brest and this past season helped them finish second in Ligue 2 to earn promotion back to the top flight.