Algeria appoints Brahim Hemdani as national football team head coach

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has officially appointed Brahim Hemdani as the new head coach of the national men’s football team, succeeding Vladimir Petkovic. The decision follows a month of uncertainty and unsuccessful attempts to secure a high-profile foreign manager.

Hemdani, a 48-year-old former Algerian international, joins the senior team after recently leading the U21 squad to a gold medal at the 2026 Mediterranean Games. He will be supported by an all-Algerian technical staff, including Antar Yahia as assistant coach and Moussa Saib as general manager.

The new coaching trio is tasked with leading the team through the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign, starting with matches against Zambia and Burundi in late September. This appointment marks a strategic shift toward utilizing local expertise and former internationals to manage the national team.