Mahrez, Belmadi sows doubt

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By: Manu Tournoux

Mahrez, Belmadi sows doubt

Against Mauritania on Tuesday evening, will Riyad Mahrez be part of the Algerian eleven? Djamel Belmadi does not guarantee it.

Tuesday evening, at 9 p.m., Algeria will play a decisive match in Group D of the 2023 African Cup of Nations. The Fennecs will try to validate their ticket for the round of 16 of the continental competition by facing Mauritania. Very criticized after his performances against Angola and Burkina Faso, will Riyad Mahrez be started again?

Asked about this, Djamel Belmadi prefers to maintain the suspense. “I don’t want people to forget what Mahrez can do. Ok, these weren’t his best two matches for the national team, but don’t write him off too quickly. I won’t tell you if he will start or on the bench, that’s not the most important thing. He remains our captain, he has always played under pressure, I have every confidence in him, the team has every confidence in him”declared the Algerian coach this Monday at a press conference.

Houssem Aouar ensures that Mahrez maintains the confidence of the locker room. “Riyad is an experienced player and he must have experienced more complicated times in his career. We see him very serene and very hardworking, that’s what counts. We always have 100% confidence in our captain”certified the Olympique Lyonnais player, present alongside Belmadi during this press point.

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.