Africa Cup of Nations: Control their emotions and Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria can control their destiny

In November three years ago, Nigeria beat Algeria comfortably 3-1 at home in World Cup qualifying. Although the reverse fixture was eventually awarded 3-0 to Algeria following a 1-1 draw after Nigeria were found to have fielded a player who was suspended, it didn’t matter: by then Nigeria were already confirmed as group winners, and Algeria were already confirmed at the bottom of the group. Yet less than two years after that game in Constantine, Algeria were much the better side in beating Nigeria to reach the Cup of Nations final for the first time since 1990. 

So what has changed? How have Algeria turned from the disjointed side of World Cup qualifying to the vibrant team that faces Senegal in Friday’s final? Much is down to Djamel Belmadi, who had an itinerant career as a player, never sticking anywhere for long, but playing at various points for Celta Vigo, Manchester City, Marseille and Southampton.

He is still young for a coach at 43 but he has eight years of experience in various posts in Qatar. He took over the Algeria national side last year and the upturn has been remarkable. Gernot Rohr, the Nigeria coach, was full of praise for the tactical progress Belmadi has made with the side, noting the better balance about the team now than when his side beat them in the World Cup qualifiers, praising both their pressing and the way they closed down the space in front of Nigeria’s rapid wingers, denying them the sort of space they’d enjoyed in the quarter-final win over South Africa.

Djamel Belmadi is the manager of Algeria since august 2018 ( almost 1 year) 15 games 11 wins( Benin, Togo, Qatar, Tunisia, Mali, Kenya, Sénégal, Tanzania, guinea, Ivory Cost, Nigeria) 3 draws 1 lose ( Benin away) Took Algeria to the african cup final Respect boss #بلماضى pic.twitter.com/rCZbgRQweJ

— Karim B (@KB4000) July 15, 2019

Belmadi’s knowledge of the Qatari league has proved important. Baghdad Bounedjah was first called up to the Algeria national side five years ago but it is only now that he is really fulfilling his potential for Les Fennecs. With his moustache and tufty goatee, the centre-forward has a villainous air, a classic case of accepting what he is and running with it. Bounedjah has something of Diego Costa about him, in his bulk and how he uses it, but also in his aggression and his willingness to take whatever advantages are to be had.

In 2018-19, Bounedjah, playing for Al-Sadd, broke the Qatari league’s goalscoring record with 39 goals in 22 games, a tally that include six hat-tricks. Another coach might have thought they were cheap goals that meant little, but Belmadi was aware he is a serious talent. The bond between the two was obvious in the quarter-final as Bounedjah, having missed a penalty in normal time, sat sobbing alongside his manager on the bench after been substituted, barely able to watch as Algeria eventually saw off Cote d’Ivoire in a shoot-out.

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Bounedjah feels like what Algeria have been missing for a while. They’ve always had creative talent in the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Sofiane Feghouli, but there have been times when they’ve seemed a little lightweight. No side with Bounedjah in it could ever be described as that. His physicality, backing into defenders, creates space for the more technically gifted players behind him to play.

Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji cries for Riyad Mahrez’ freekick that sent Algeria to the AFCON final. pic.twitter.com/FrQYk3nyAc

— Leandro Paredes (@Halopenos) July 14, 2019

That feels as though it may be particularly significant against Senegal, who, having lost the centre-back Salif Sane to injury in the opening game, are now without their other first-choice after Kalidou Koulibaly picked up a ludicrous yellow card in the semi-final that means he will be suspended (he was booked in conceding the penalty that Tunisia missed, a handball awarded for a shot driven into his elbow, the arm tucked by his side, at high velocity from little distance. It’s bad enough strict liability exists for unavoidable and accidental handball offences; even worse that they can draw a yellow card).

Koulibaly, with his combination of tactical and physical excellence, had seemed the sort of defender who might be able to handle Bounedjah; as it is, he will be up against an inexperienced central defensive pairing, and the probability must be that he will donate, creating space for Feghouli, Mahrez and the more surprising star of the tournament Youcef Belaili, a team-mate of Bounedjah at youth level with RCGH Oran, who has returned from a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine.

The markets suggest the final should be very tight, but on the basis of the tournament, the only factor likely to stop Algeria is their emotion. The reaction of players, journalists and fans to each win has been extraordinary and while their excitement after almost three decades of frustration is understandable, there are times when it feels a little hysterical. Belmadi, though, seems a coach who should be able to handle that.