The coach of the Algerian national football team, Vladimir Petkovic, confirmed that he did not completely exclude the players Riyad Mahrez, Youssef Blayli and Islam Blayli, who were absent from the match in which the “Greens” were defeated, yesterday evening, Thursday, for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
WaWe are defeated The Algerian national team faced its Guinean guest, with a score of two goals to one, in the match that brought them together, yesterday evening, Thursday, at the “Nelson Mandela” stadium in Baraki, Algiers, in the third round of the seventh group of the African qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup competition, the final session of which will be held in the summer of 2026. In the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.
The absence from the current camp of the Algerian national team, of some former stars during the era of the former national voter, Djamel Belmadi, caused a great uproar in the Algerian sports community. In particular, captain Riyad Mahrez, the historic top scorer of the Greens, Islam Slimani, and the first star of the Algerian league, Youssef Belaili.
The national team coach, Vladimir Petkovic, refused to delve much into the issue of the absence of this trio. But he confirmed during the press conference that followed yesterday’s match that there is no deportation for any player.”
Petkovic said, during Press conference Same: “We lost an important confrontation and we feel sad.” Although we controlled it, we did not score the chances we had.”
He continued: “On the other hand, we committed individual mistakes that cost us two goals. I congratulate the Guinea national team, which played with its ideas and style in order to win.”
Petkovic is optimistic about the rest of the way
The Bosnian-Swiss coach added: “We must remain positive.” We must regain our physical and psychological strength, because in 3 days we will play another match (next Monday against Uganda), and starting tonight we will begin preparing for it.”
Petkovic added: “We have 7 matches remaining, including the return match against Guinea. We have to collect the largest number of points… Now we have to find players who are physically and psychologically ready to achieve a positive result against Uganda.”
With this stumble, Vladimir Petkovic has failed in his first official test as head of the coaching staff of the Algerian national team. This was after he had recorded a win and a draw in his first match, in March. Which were friendly, in front of Bolivia (3-2) and South AfricanA (3-3).
As a result of yesterday, he joined Guinean national team With its Algerian counterpart, it is at the top of the seventh qualifying group standings with points for each of them. The national team will travel tomorrow, Saturday, to Kampala, to face its host Muntakhab UgandaNext Monday, in the fourth round of the same qualifiers.
The first-place finisher after the ten rounds of qualifying qualifies directly to the 2026 World Cup finals.
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