Everything changed at the stroke of midnight in Blida on Tuesday evening. Following a goal from Ahmed Touba in the 118th minute, Algeria thought it was validating its ticket for the World Cup. But a long innocuous ball after additional time in extra time, and a strike from Karl Toko Ekambi made the difference to eliminate Algeria. Cruel. This Wednesday, the Algerian press evoked this elimination at the end of an incredible scenario.
The daily Liberté highlighted the disappointment of Islam Slimani and his teammates. Elimination is considered “Bitter and unfair”. The newspaper insists on the “heroic” side of the performance of the Fennecs who “gave everything and fought like lions”. Arbitration is also called into question by the site “Le Jeune Indépendant”. The latter goes so far as to explain that the arbitration decisions eliminated Algeria from the World Cup. The canceled goal of Islam Slimani (98th) by the VAR is particularly criticized.
The future of Djamel Belmadi at the head of the Fennecs is also in question. The Oran daily headlined: “The greens will not go to Qatar”, with Djamel Belmadi’s tears highlighted. The coach, African champion in 2019 and author of a series of 35 games without defeat, has just experienced two disappointments in quick succession at the start of 2022. Elimination from the group stage of the European Cup Africa of nations then this non-qualification for the World Cup, a major objective for the former OM player. In a press conference, the coach said “he would think about his future in the coming days. This information made the front page of the site “Le Soir d’Algérie”.
Finally, “L’expression” titles on the full page of its website “Dur, Dur, Dur”. Here again Belmadi’s tears, which have gone around the world, illustrate the article. For journalist Saïd Mekki: “disillusion was more or less in the air”. It will take some time for Algerian supporters to digest it. Yesterday’s defeat in Blida against Cameroon was the first in this stadium for the Fennecs after 43 games. The day you shouldn’t lose.