Algerian national team coach Djamel Belmadi has reiterated his defense of “Les Verts” captain Riyad Mahrez amidst criticism for his underwhelming performance thus far in the African Cup of Nations football tournament being held in the Ivory Coast, urging people not to “kill him off too early.”
Belmadi, speaking from the city of Bouaké ahead of the decisive match against Mauritania in the last round of Group D competitions said, “I don’t want anyone to forget what Riyad is capable of.”
The 32-year-old wing, who plays for Saudi club Al Ahli and is a former Manchester City star, played a decisive role in leading Algeria to the title in the 2019 edition in Egypt. However, he has yet to make a notable contribution in the current edition, particularly in the draws against Angola (1-1) and Burkina Faso (2-2). Mahrez was even substituted out in the last match against Burkina Faso last Saturday when the team was trailing before “Baghdad Bounedjah” rescued them with a last-minute goal.
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#DesertWarriors | #123vivalAlgérie🇩🇿
— Équipe d’Algérie de football (@LesVerts) January 20, 2024
The Algerian national team now needs a victory over Mauritania to avoid being ousted from the group stage for the second consecutive time.
Belmadi acknowledged, “I agree with you that those were not his best matches with Algeria, but don’t kill him off too early,” reminding everyone that Mahrez had won the Champions League last season with Manchester City before leaving the club after five years to play for Al Ahli Saudi FC.
“He’s the captain. I know what he is able to do. I have full confidence in him, and the team fully trusts him,” Belmadi continued, without confirming whether Mahrez would be starting against a team seeking its first-ever victory in the continental tournament.
