Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi offered condolences to the Moroccan people after a devastating earthquake last Friday killed more than 2100,<> people.
"I want to offer my support to the Moroccan people, who are going through difficult times, all my condolences, and I hope that everything will return to normal," the Algerian coach said.
Belmadi added in an interview with the French network "RMC" that he will continue to build a strong squad after failing to qualify for the last World Cup, and stressed that he has been used to dealing with criticism since his appointment in 2018 and that it does not prevent him from sleeping.
🇩🇿🇲🇦 Djamel Belmadi adresse un message de solidarité avec le Maroc : "J'aimerais passer mes condoléances à toutes les victimes du tremblement de terre au Maroc, leur dire qu'on est de tout cœur avec eux et qu'Inch'Allah les choses rent dans l'ordre." pic.twitter.com/2xsMqSRRud
— After Foot RMC (@AfterRMC) September 10, 2023
Belmadi was a resounding success when he led Algeria to victory at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, but was knocked out in the first round of the next edition of the continental tournament and failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in a big surprise.
"Qualifying for the World Cup was our ultimate goal, and we were really shocked not to achieve it, I could have left after this failure, but I want to make the Algerian people happy again," Belmadi explained.
"We were knocked out in the first round of the Africa Cup of Nations, so it would be daring to say that we will win the next African Cup, but I know that the winning culture is ingrained in us," the former Al Duhail coach said.
"The national team is now in the stage of full reconstruction, our goal is to replenish the group and include as many players as possible, so getting immediate results is not easy, but it must come quickly as well."
Belmadi stressed that despite the constant criticism, he was continuing his work.
– @DanielRiolo : "Vous trouvez que votre équipe est jugée trop sévèrement ces derniers temps ?"
– Djamel Belmadi, sélectionneur des Fennecs : "Non pas ces derniers temps, depuis le premier jour où j'ai mis un pied en sélection. Mais ça ne m'empêche pas de dormir." pic.twitter.com/b1tcOfQl5T
— After Foot RMC (@AfterRMC) September 10, 2023
"There are journalists and media professionals who have been criticizing me since my first day in the national team, specifically since 2018, and this does not prevent me from sleeping, and my focus will remain on my work," the Algeria coach said.
Algeria will play Senegal in a friendly on Tuesday in Dakar between the last two African champions as part of the two teams' preparations for the Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast early next year.
"Senegal is the reference today in Africa, it will be difficult, but we want to put ourselves in a strong position before the African Cup, I want to play before the final or the final in the next Cup of Nations, and this means that this match will be against Senegal," Belmadi concluded.