Algeria coach at a loss to explain painful Afcon elimination

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi cut a disconsolate figure as he assessed a second successive group stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations for the 2019 winners following the shock 1-0 loss to Mauritania in their final Group D clash on Tuesday. Belmadi, who also failed to take the Algerians to the World Cup in Qatar following a dramatic playoff loss to Cameroon, was left to rue missed chances as he left the question about his future open.

“If we concede a lot of chances, I would say that’s where the problem comes from,” he said. “But I can’t explain why we can’t win. We have to be more clinical, we hit the post, we never managed to make a break, we never calmed down. If it’s the end of the cycle? Maybe.”

Belmadi says he expected much more from his players, especially after their group stage exit in Cameroon two years ago.

“No, I didn’t expect this to be like the last one. There is no way. Difficult, yes, but not with this sad ending. What’s next? I’m not going to tell you that. Keep trying, but I have people to talk to first.”

He also defended his record since taking the job in 2018, which included that Cup of Nations victory in 2019.

Credit: supersport.com

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