Algeria have sacked their coach Djamel Belmadi, after the Desert Fox crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations on the back of a 1-0 surprise loss to Mauritania.
The result followed draws against Angola and Burkina Faso in the group D. A win against Mauritania could have guaranteed them a place in the round of 16, but it ended in tears for the players as they left the field.
Belmadi who led the team to the title in the 2019 edition failed to find the same magic touch to move the Desert Foxes beyond the group stage. They also crashed out in the group stages in the 2021 tournament in Cameroon.
“I met with Djamel and we reached an amicable agreement to dissolve the association,” Walid Sadi, president of Algeria’s football federation, said.
“We thank Djamel for everything he did for the team and wish him good luck in the rest of his career.”
Sadi added their tournament had ended with “a bitter exit” in a series of messages posted on X.
“We apologise to the fans of the national team and the Algerian people after we worked hard and provided ideal conditions for our players to shine,” he added.
Belmadi, 47, took over as coach of the Desert Foxes in August 2018 and signed a contract extension a year ago to remain in the post until 2026.
Belmadi