Algeria: FAF in search of a new boss
Algeria: FAF in search of a new boss. Elected in July 2022, Djahid Zefizef has resigned as president.
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The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) enjoyed stability between 2001 and 2017 under the influential Mohamed Raouraoua, even if he stepped aside for three years (2006-2009) in favour of Hamid Habbadj, though without ever being far from power. Over the past six years, the governing body has had three presidents: Kheireddine Zetch (2017-2021), who at least had the merit of seeing out his term, which was marked by victory in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt; Charaf-Eddine Amara (April 2021-March 2022), who left after the Fennecs were eliminated by Cameroon (1-0, 1-2) in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup; and finally Djahid Zefizef.
Zefizef chose to slam the door on his way out after failing to be elected to the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on 13 July in Abidjan, losing out to Libya's Abdelhakim Al Shalmani, unless the country's highest authorities politely but firmly asked him to leave his presidential seat. Azeddine Arab, the FAF vice-president, is in charge on an interim basis. The former ES Sétif president will be tasked with preparing the next elective General Assembly within 60 days of Zefizef's effective departure.
No official candidate yet
At the time of writing, no candidate has yet officially declared. The Algerian press has, however, mentioned the names of Raouf Salim Bernaoui, the former Sports Minister (April 2019-January 2020), and even a return for Charaf-Eddine Amara! "First we have to see whether Amara will be able to stand, under the FAF statutes. As for Bernaoui, it's certainly a possibility. We will have to wait a little, but in any case, whoever is elected will be the one who has had the backing of those in power, as has always been the case for the various FAF presidents," said a source close to the governing body, speaking on condition of anonymity. Djamel Belmadi, the Fennecs coach, who had an excellent relationship with Zefizef, whom he had got to know when the latter was the national team's general manager, will also have his say. In short, there are not necessarily many boxes to tick, but they are notoriously unavoidable...
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Alexis Billebault