Tensions are escalating between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Algerian national team participating in the African Cup of Nations, with coach Djamel Belmadi barred from entering Al Salam Stadium in Bouaké ahead of the Desert Warriors’ first match against Angola this Monday.
CAF criticized Belmadi for his repeated visits to Al Salam Stadium, intending to inspect the facility closely. The stadium, hosting Group D matches of the 34th edition of the continent’s premier football tournament, is conveniently located just steps away from the Algerian team’s hotel.
It appears that the proximity of the stadium to the Algerian delegation’s residence is being leveraged by the coach, as he makes regular inspection visits. However, this behavior has ruffled the feathers of the competition’s organizing body officials, who now insist Belmadi must obtain prior permission each time he wishes to visit Al Salam Stadium, which is only about 15 meters from the hotel where the Greens are staying.
Rejecting the option to stay in the housing complexes provided by the tournament organizers, the Algerian Football Federation and Belmadi opted for a hotel directly across from Al Salam Stadium.
Coach Djamel Belmadi places great importance on the readiness of the stadium, keen on avoiding a repeat of the previous tournament’s scenario in Cameroon. During that time, the Algerian team played its three matches at the Japoma Stadium against Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, and Ivory Coast on a pitch criticized for its poor condition despite its modern appearance, which was partly blamed for the Greens’ early exit from the competition.
Following the match against Angola, Algeria will face Burkina Faso on January 20th and then meet Mauritania on January 23rd as part of the ongoing group stage action.
