Brahim Hemdani will not face the media before Algeria’s friendly against Niger in Tizi Ouzou on Tuesday, leaving him without the chance to explain the 2-2 draw with Burundi that prompted the first criticism of his tenure.
Neither the Algeria manager nor the players will attend a pre-match news conference or a mixed zone before the meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 18:00.
The absence is partly explained by the status of the fixture. As it is not an official match, the Federation Algerienne de Football (FAF) is not subject to the same media obligations that apply to games organised under the authority of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) or FIFA. The two earlier fixtures in this international window had included several media appearances.
However, the decision comes at a sensitive moment for Hemdani. Algeria found themselves two goals behind Burundi after only 12 minutes in Bujumbura before recovering to draw 2-2. Defensive weaknesses, some of the manager’s decisions and his relatively satisfied assessment after the match have all led to early questions.
One issue that could have been raised was the balance of the midfield. Without a recognised holding midfielder, Algeria left sizeable spaces between the lines. Himad Abdelli and Fares Chaibi were given responsibilities that do not entirely match their natural strengths.
By keeping away from the media, Hemdani can protect the calm of his squad and use the final hours before the match for tactical work. He also avoids an opportunity to explain his decisions or respond directly to the concerns raised after the Burundi game.
There are circumstances that offer the new manager some mitigation. Algeria’s squad has been weakened by the withdrawals of Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Adem Zorgane and Saadi Radouani. Several changes are also expected because this is a friendly, with players who have had limited involvement likely to be given game time.
Even with a reshuffled side, Algeria will be favourites against Niger and will be expected to look more controlled than they did in Burundi.
Niger are now managed by Nabil Neghiz, who previously worked as Vladimir Petkovic’s assistant. He knows many of the Algeria players, as well as some of the tactical habits of footballers he worked with recently.
Being held at home by a former member of the previous coaching staff would represent an unwelcome signal for Hemdani. Even a narrow victory, without a visible improvement in performance, may not remove every doubt.
Initially viewed as a possible interim solution before being confirmed as manager of the Fennecs, Hemdani knows each match is now helping to shape his project. The victory over Zambia provided an encouraging first indication, while the Burundi draw highlighted the areas that still require attention.
The Niger match will conclude a first international gathering that has been too short for definitive conclusions, but long enough to begin identifying a direction.
Hemdani will not speak before kick-off. From 18:00, his team will have to provide the answers.
