Algeria: Nadir Belhadj and New Staff Changes Expected for Hemdani’s Technical Team

Algeria national team coach Brahim Hemdani faces a pivotal overhaul of his technical staff ahead of the November international window, with the Algerian Football Federation evaluating defensive vulnerabilities, midfield stagnation, and structural additions to the coaching setup. DZfoot reported that the upcoming training camp will introduce crucial competencies into the team’s backroom staff following a mixed start to Hemdani’s tenure.

Coaching Staff Additions and the Pursuit of Video Analysis

DZfoot reported that the upcoming November gathering will likely mark a structured expansion of the technical staff, specifically targeting performance and video analysis. Modern football demands rigorous opponent scouting and data exploitation, creating an urgent priority for the national team that was left unaddressed during the initial appointments of the new regime. Under former coach Vladimir Petkovic, the primary performance analyst was reassigned to the under-23 squad, leaving Hemdani’s immediate staff without a dedicated data specialist.

Afrik-Foot reported that additional changes are expected across the technical hierarchy, including potential alterations to the goalkeeping coach position currently held by Nacereddine Berarma. That specific role remains closely tied to the influence of Algerian Football Federation president Walid Sadi, according to DZfoot. Meanwhile, journalist Khaled Mazouzi reported that former national team left-back Nadir Belhadj is being lined up for the role of second assistant coach. Belhadj, who earned 54 caps and scored 4 goals for the Fennecs, has been coaching youth teams at Al-Sadd in Qatar since July 2023 following his retirement. He would join former national captain Anthar Yahia, who already serves as the primary assistant coach under Hemdani.

Midfield Stagnation and Defensive Vulnerabilities Under Hemdani

Competition.dz reported that while Algeria secured two wins and a draw during their September fixtures, deep tactical shortcomings in midfield and defence exposed serious structural flaws. The team conceded four goals across three matches—an average of over one goal per game—against opponents the squad was expected to handle with greater defensive security. YSscores reported that these defensive frailties have placed Hemdani under mounting scrutiny from the federation as officials evaluate whether he can solve ongoing organizational lapses.

In midfield, observers noted a lack of mobility, running power, and vertical projection from regular starters such as Adem Zorgane, Fares Chaïbi, and Himad Abdelli. Competition.dz reported that the team missed a dynamic box-to-box presence capable of linking the midfield and attack. The debut appearance of newcomer Bourabaa in Tizi-Ouzou provided a stark contrast, as his high work-rate and box-to-box engine drew comparisons to early career performances by Ismaël Bennacer. The tactical immobility of the central midfielders often forced attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza to remain isolated higher up the pitch, reducing his defensive contribution and creating a congested final third.

Upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Schedule

Afrik-Foot reported that Algeria currently sits atop Group I in qualifying, holding a single-point lead over second-place Zambia. The Fennecs face a crucial double-header against Togo in November for the third and fourth rounds of Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Algeria will host the first fixture against the Éperviers on November 14 in Tizi-Ouzou before traveling to Lomé three days later.

During their opening matches under Hemdani, the squad registered a 3–1 home victory against Zambia and a 2–2 away draw against Burundi in late September, followed by a 2–1 friendly win over Niger on October 6. With qualification matches looming in mid-November, the federation’s imminent decisions regarding staff reinforcement and tactical corrections will dictate whether Hemdani retains long-term control over the squad.