Algeria arrived here as kings awaiting coronation, but left like captured soldiers.
Lucky fans and journalists, who were at the airport when Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez and company touched down ready for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), were jostling for selfies and autographs.
But few noticed them after they bid the tournament bye. They needed to beat Senegal first and pray for a favour from Zimbabwe against Tunisia. Neither happened. They drew 2-2 with Senegal, while Tunisia hammered Zimbabwe 4-2.
During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Algeria made the last 16, against all odds. So, when this year’s tournament got underway 12 days ago, most eyes were on this crop of players. The thought of them winning their first title since 1990 was not far-fetched. In their ranks, they had players of world-class pedigree. When looking for a responsible person for spraying passes in the midfield, they had Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb (now on loan at of Schalke04) to turn to. If it was for crosses and deadly dribbles towards goal, then CAF African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez or his Leicester team-mate Islam Slimani, were the men. So were Porto’s Yacine Brahimi and Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam.
But none of these individuals came to the aid of their country when it and millions of their fans needed them most. Granted, Slimani scored twice in their draw against Senegal, but it counted for nothing really. It was rather little too late to make a difference.
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They spent months preparing for the Afcon examinations, but after only three attempts, the Algerians failed to hit the pass mark. And with tails between their legs, they left Franceville and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations without a win. What shame.
The loss came at a cost as it claimed Belgian coach Georges Leekens. He could not stand the heat in the dressing home and did the needful.
“For the good of all I decided to quit even though I do it with heartache, and I wish all the success in the world to the national side,” he said in a statement posted on the Algerian Football Federation website.
Senegal will play Cameroon in the second quarter-final on Saturday at 10pm Kenyan time. The Indomitable Lions finished second behind Burkina Faso.
