FAF: Who could succeed Djahid Zefizef?

It is hard to say the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has enjoyed peaceful times since the resignation of its president, Djahid Zefizef, on 16 July. His successor was initially due to be elected on 4 September, but the election timetable has been thrown into disarray. The elective General Assembly will take place on 21 September, after the deadline for candidacies, originally set for 13 August, was pushed back by two weeks.

Candidates' files will be examined on 28 and 29 August, the final list of applicants will be published on 30 August, and after any appeals have been heard, the definitive list will be published on 7 September. Candidates will therefore have a little under two weeks to campaign, at a time when the FAF has seen two presidents come and go in the space of two years, Charaf-Eddine Amara (2021-2022, who resigned after Algeria's World Cup elimination by Cameroon), and now Djahid Zefizef.

The eye of those in power

Several names are doing the rounds as possible candidates, though it is unclear whether these rumours should be taken seriously. The latest is also one of the most unexpected: Dif Kaddour, president of amateur club CTRB Hassi Behbah, who play in the Blida league. For several weeks, there has been talk of a candidacy from Walid Saadi, a former member of the federation's Bureau when Mohamed Raouraoua was in charge.

We will have to wait until 27 August to find out whether Meziane Ighil, a former NA Hussein Dey player and ex-international who has coached many clubs as well as the national team, will stand, as he appeared to intend. The same question mark hangs over Abdelkrim Medouar, the former president of ASO Chlef, who is now head of the Professional Football League (LFP). On the other hand, it looks less and less likely that Raouf Selim Bernaoui, the former sports minister (April 2019 to January 2020), will submit his file.

Indeed, the future president of a body that has been hit by chronic instability for two years and whose influence in Africa is very limited will automatically be given the nod by those in power. "If you want to have any hope of being elected FAF president, you absolutely have to be close to the circles of power. Without that, there is no chance of getting the job," says a source close to the body. But Djahid Zefizef, who officially resigned after failing to get elected to the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), knows better than anyone that those in power politely but firmly invited him to make way…

Alexis Billebault