Belamdi defiant as Algeria battle for AFCON survival

Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi during the post match press conference after the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals Algeria v Equatorial Guinea at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon on 16 January 2022 ©Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Monday Jan 17, 2022. 13:00

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi is defiant despite the defending champions’ slim last 16 hopes following Sunday’s momentous 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in their penultimate Group E match.

The defeat brought to an end Algeria’s revered 35-match unbeaten run that dated back to October 16, 2018 when Benin defeated them 1-0 away in a 2019 AFCON qualifier.

But crucially, the result left the defending AFCON champions bottom of Group E with just 1 point from two games.

“We are in a situation of failure, it is a slender moment,” Belmadi said during the post-match briefing.

“Football is not always about rational reasons but let’s be sure, we will fight to stay in this competition.”

Algeria are in a precarious situation sitting two points behind second placed Equatorial Guinea and another three points adrift of leaders Cote d’Ivoire.

2021 AFCON GROUP STANDINGS

Sierra Leone are third on 2 points.

Destiny is now in Algeria’s hands who face fellow two-time champions and 2015 AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire in a blockbuster Group E finale on January 20.

“It will be a match against a great team from Côte d’Ivoire which is made up of players playing in the biggest leagues,” Belamdi said.