Brahim Hemdani faces an early decision over Algeria’s next captain after Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi both retired from international football following the North American World Cup.
For several years, the leadership structure of the national team was clear, with Mahrez wearing the armband and Mandi acting as his natural deputy. Their simultaneous departures mean Hemdani must establish a new hierarchy when he takes charge of his first squad.
The decision will not determine the success of Hemdani’s tenure on its own, but it will send an important early message. The new captain will be expected to communicate the manager’s instructions on the pitch and provide leadership during a period of transition for the Fennecs.
Ramy Bensebaini appears to be the leading contender. The Borussia Dortmund defender has been an Algeria international since 2017, helped the team win the Africa Cup of Nations two years later and has earned 85 caps.
Bensebaini has the experience and character required for the role. He is willing to take responsibility and is generally a first-choice player when available. His fitness record, however, represents the main concern. Regular problems have interrupted his involvement and could make it difficult for him to offer the continuity expected of a captain.
Experienced alternatives
Nabil Bentaleb and Ismael Bennacer provide two further options with significant international experience.
Bentaleb has been part of the Algeria set-up since the 2014 World Cup and is respected for his personality and authority. His performances for the national team, though, have not always matched the level he has shown at club level.
Bennacer has previously worn the captain’s armband, including in Algeria’s match against Iran in 2022 under Rabah Madjer. His technical standing within the team remains considerable, but a succession of injuries, his absence from the most recent World Cup and his move to Al-Gharafa in Qatar have gradually taken him away from the centre of attention.
Hemdani could also choose to take a less conventional route by promoting one of Algeria’s attacking players.
The manager and his assistant Anthar Yahia were at the Velodrome on Sunday to watch Amine Gouiri score twice for Marseille in their defeat by Paris FC. Gouiri has become one of Algeria’s most dependable attacking players and, as a former Rennes player, could now argue that he deserves greater responsibility within the national team.
An even more unexpected candidate would be Anis Hadj Moussa. The Feyenoord winger is already viewed as one of the leading contenders to succeed Mahrez on the right side of Algeria’s attack.
Giving Hadj Moussa the captaincy after his failed move to Al-Ittihad could help him overcome that disappointment and encourage him to embrace a greater leadership role. Replacing Mahrez in the team, however, does not automatically mean inheriting the authority the former captain held.
For now, Bensebaini appears to be the most logical choice, with Bentaleb or Bennacer potential deputies. Gouiri may have the strongest profile to represent the team over the long term as a new cycle develops.
Hadj Moussa’s promotion would probably come too soon, although his inclusion in the debate underlines the importance expected of him in the future.
After years of stability around the captaincy, Algeria’s supporters will be watching closely to see who Hemdani selects as the first leader of his tenure.
By Naim Beneddra
Beneddra has followed football since childhood and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years. He writes and analyses the game, while maintaining a particular focus on the Algeria national team and football in Algeria.