AFCON 2023 (Q): Adel Amrouche launches scathing attack on Djamel Belmadi

Adel Amrouche has little time for Djamel Belmadi, and he is making no secret of it. The Tanzania coach was far from happy with what his compatriot said about him. The incident dates back to 2019, during qualifying for the 2019 AFCON, when Amrouche was in charge of Botswana. “I had a very bad experience, not about the match but about the arrogant attitude of the coach. He was neither friendly nor professional… he didn't respect me and didn't respect the Botswana national team”, the Algerian coach said bluntly.

He went on: “He turned the Algerian public against me when he told them I had asked the players to use brutal tactics, and that is not true”.

Amrouche to face Belmadi next September

The two coaches will meet again next September for matchday 5 of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. Tanzania travel to Algeria looking to secure qualification. The Taifa Stars are currently second in Group F with 6 points, level with Uganda. Despite his clash with Belmadi, Amrouche remains deeply attached to his country. “It will be difficult for me, especially when I hear the national anthem. You feel emotionally overwhelmed, but when the whistle blows, everything will change.”

Against the Fennecs, he will still be playing to win. “I am new and I am going to push to change the players' attitude, to be determined to fight any team. I have signed a long-term contract to help build and develop the new generation of players, and to put pathways and philosophies in place.”

Adel Amrouche, suspended for spitting at a match official

Besides his row with Djamel Belmadi, Adel Amrouche has been involved in another incident. While he was Kenya coach, the Algerian was banned for 12 months by CAF for allegedly spitting at a fourth official during a qualifier in the Comoros. The coach denies this. “CAF banned me for something I never did, but I won my case against them and was able to return to the touchline after a two-year fight”. Following an appeal, his suspension was reduced to six months.

But his spell with the Kenya national team ended very badly. Amrouche brought legal proceedings against the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for unfair dismissal. In October 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in his favour, awarding him compensation of one million euros. “FKF let me down after that ban, they didn't help me,” he protests. “They threw me out of my home and took my car, they stopped my salary.”