Penalty list? Belmadi explains: “There were discussions before the CAN” – Onze d’Afrik
After the debacle during the African Cup which saw Algeria exit the tournament in the group stage, Djamel Belmadi made strong choices for his list of players called up for the play-offs of the 2022 World Cup.
For the two crucial deadlines (March 25 and 29) against Cameroon, Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi made a lot of changes in his list compared to the last round. Results ? Baghdad Bounedjah, Yacine Brahimi and Saïd Benrahma out, Adlène Guedioura and Ishak Belfodil back.
Present this Sunday at a press conference, the technician fennec justified his choices. “Before the last CAN, there were discussions, one of them concerned the post-CAN and in particular this double confrontation. What had been explained was that an assessment was going to be drawn after CAN and that it would have an impact on the future grouping. What has been done”first recalled Belmadi before continuing.
“It’s not a sanction list, but a list to qualify for the World Cup. There was an obvious failure, we had to react, not by dismissing players but by putting together a list to achieve the objective. The team wants to redeem itself. This is what drives us. We want to be at this World Cup, we want that during the 7-8 months, we are in this euphoria, that of preparing for this event. added the former Algerian international.
