The Algerian Football Federation has appointed Brahim Hemdani as head coach of the senior national team, replacing Vladimir Petkovic following Algeria's elimination from the 2022 World Cup. Hemdani's promotion comes after steering the under-21 side to gold at the Mediterranean Games in Italy—a breakthrough achievement that ended a 51-year drought for Algerian football at that competition.
Hemdani, 48, arrives with an unconventional path to the top job. The former midfielder spent his playing career at prominent European clubs including Strasbourg, Marseille, and Glasgow Rangers, establishing himself as a respected figure in French football. His coaching trajectory began in the shadows of lower-division French sides before climbing through youth development pathways that eventually opened doors within Algeria's national team structure. Unlike his decorated playing record, his coaching résumé remains modest—a reality that makes his appointment to such a high-pressure role a calculated gamble by federation officials.
A Tight Schedule and Early Tests
Hemdani faces immediate demands with minimal preparation time. Algeria hosts Zambia on 25 September, followed by a trip to Burundi four days later in the opening rounds of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. These fixtures represent his first opportunity to implement tactical philosophy and assess player quality against competitive opposition. Success in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda hosting the tournament will require swift adaptation and team cohesion.
The new coach will benefit from two former international players joining his technical staff: Antar Yahia and Moussa Saib. Their experience as ex-Algerian internationals provides insider knowledge and credibility within the squad. Yet Hemdani must quickly establish authority and prove his elevation from youth development represents sound judgment rather than expedience following Petkovic's departure. The next month will reveal whether the Mediterranean Games triumph translates to success at senior international level.
