The star of the Algerian selection, Riyad Mahrez, would have been forced to surrender his captain’s armband of the Fennecs.
A revolution within the Algerian selection a few days before the start of the CAN? This is what the noises emanating from the other side of the Mediterranean suggest. Riyad Mahrez, the star of the team, has reportedly been asked to give up the captaincy.
Belmadi would have cut to the chase
Djamel Belmadi, the coach, would like to offer the armband to Sofiane Feghouli or Aissa Mandi. Why ? He would judge that the two players mentioned are more capable of fulfilling the role of leader. At the same time, he would also like to take the pressure off the former citizen’s shoulders.
Mahrez was, however, the captain of the Greens since Belmadi took office in 2018. It is with this responsibility that he guided his team to the continental triumph in 2019. And his investment at the time had was greeted from all sides. It is therefore not impossible that the choice to remove the fabric around his arm is only occasional.
Belmadi makes a strong choice before the start of the CAN
Mahrez fallen captain?
Algeria faces Burundi on Tuesday for its last friendly outing before the CAN in Ivory Coast. Mahrez’s role will likely be particularly scrutinized. Unless his coach leaves him to rest, like most of the starters.
Algeria begins its journey in the African Cup with an opposition against Angola on Monday January 15. She will then face Burkina Faso and Mauritania in her group.
